CLARA  BARTON. 
From  a  por trail  taken  about  i8j§. 


THE    RED  CROSS 


IN    PEACE   AND   WAR 


By   Clara   Barton 


AMERICAN    HISTORICAL   PRESS 
1906 


SOCIAL  WELFARE 
LIBRARY 


Copyright,  1898,  by  Clara  Barton 


,^t«>C.«  NATIONAL  R£0  c^oj. 


'^■'SH'NGTON,   D.C.U-S-^ 


Si] 

From  the  President  of  the  United  States 

In  his  Message  to  Congress  December  6,  1898. 


It  is  a  pleasure  for  nie  to  mention  in  terms  of  cordial  appreciation 
the  timely  anil  useful  work  of  the  American  National  Red  Cross,  both 
in  relief  measures  preparatory  to  the  campaigns,  in  sanitary  assistance 
at  several  of  the  camps  of  assemblage,  and,  later,  under  the  able  and 
experienced  leadership  of  the  president  of  the  society.  Miss  Clara 
Barton,  on  the  fields  of  battle  and  in  the  hospitals  at  the  front  in  Cuba. 
Working  in  conjunction  with  the  governmental  authorities  and  under 
their  sanction  and  approval,  and  with  the  enthusiastic  co-operation  of 
many  patriotic  women  and  societies  in  the  various  States,  the  Red 
Cross  has  fully  maintained  its  already  high  reputation  for  intense 
earnestness  and  ability  to  exercise  the  noble  purposes  of  its  interna- 
tional organization,  thus  justifying  the  confidence  and  support  which 
it  has  received  at  the  hands  of  the  American  people.  To  the  mem- 
bers and  officers  and  all  who  aided  them  in  their  philanthropic  work, 
the  sincere  and  lasting  gratitude  of  the  soldiers  and  the  public  is  due 
and  freely  accorded. 

In  tracing  these  events  we  are  constantly  reminded  of  our  obliga- 
tions to  the  Divine  Master  for  His  watchful  care  over  us  and  His  safe 
guidance,  for  which  the  nation  makes  reverent  acknowledgment  and 
ofifers  humble  prayers  for  the  continuance  of  His  favors. 


Z^jz^j^^^,,..^':^°-rfL..^ 


ILLUSTI^ATIONS. 


PAOB. 

Clara  Barton,  from  a  portrait  taken  about  1875 Frontispiece. 

The  International  Committee  of  the  Red  Cross,  Geneva,  Switzerland    .    .  opp.   16 

Clara  Barton,  taken  about  1885 opp.  17 

The  First  Red  Cross  Warehouse,  Washington,  D.  C 21 

National  Red  Cross  Headquarters  in  Washington,  from  1892  to  1897 22 

Some  of  the  First  Members  of  the  American  National  Red  Cross 43 

A  Group  of  American  National  Red  Cross  Members 44 

A  Group  of  American  National  Red  Cross  Members 55 

Suburban  Headquarters,  American  National  Red  Cross 56 

Some  Red  Cross  Decorations  Presented  to  Clara  Barton 83 

Chronological  Historic  Tree 84 

Clara  Barton,  taken  about  1884 1 1 3 

"Josh  V.  Throop" "4 

Camp  Perry I43 

Red  Cross  Headquarters 144 

Johnstown,  Pa.,  before  the  Flood  of  1889 15S 

Red  Cross  Hotel,  Locust  Street,  Johnstown,  Pa 156 

Red  Cross  Furniture  Room,  Johnstown,  Pa 163 

Typical  Scene  after  the  Flood  at  Johnstown,  Pa.,  May  30,  1889 164 

In  Memoriam '74 

T)phus  Fever  Patients  in  the  Russian  Famine,  1891-92 181 

Count  Lyoff  Tolstoi 182 

Women  Cutting  Potatoes  for  Planting— Sea  Island  Relief,  S,  C. ,  February,  1894,  199 

A  Windfall  for  St.  Helena 200 

Testimonial  from  Russian  Workmen  for  American  Help  and  Sympathy  in  the 

Famine  of  1892 217 

A  Russian  Peasant  Village 218 

(3) 


4  Till-    Ri:i)  CROSS. 

PAGE 

Receiving  Room  for  Clothing,  S.  C.  Island  Relief,  1S93-94  .........  235 

South  Carolina  Sea  Island  Relief 236 

The  Island  District  from  Savannah  to  Beaufort 251 

Sick  with  the  Fauiiue  Fever 253 

Hunger-Stricken 254 

Mi.ss  Barton's  Room 271 

In  tlie  Old  Schloss  of  Baden 272 

Red  Cross  Headquarters,  Constantinople 281 

View  from  Red  Cross  Headquarters,  Constantinople 282 

Turkish  Cemetery 282 

Chief  of  the  Dersin  Kourds  and  His  Three  Sub-Chiefs 291 

Chief  of  the  Dersin  Kourds : 292 

Decoration  of  the  Royal  Order  of  Melusine 300 

Tower  of  Christ,  Constantinople 301 

W.  W.  Peet,  Esq 302 

Rev.  Henry  O.  Dwight,  D.  D 302 

Rev.  Joseph  K.  Greene,  D.  D 302 

Rev.  George  Washburn ,  D.  D 302 

Signature  of  the  Sultan 303 

Turkish  Dispatches 306,  307 

Map  of  the  Country  traversed  by  the  Red  Cro.ss  Expeditions  carrying  American 

Relief  to  the  Victims  of  the  Armenian  Massacres  in  1896 309 

Interior  of  Gregorian  Church  at  Oorfa 308 

American  College  Buildings,  Aintab '  311 

American  and  Armenian  Quarters,  Harpoot ....  311 

Marash 312 

Red  Cross  Caravan 312 

A  Bit  of  Palou 318 

Rev.  C.  F.  Gates,  D.  D.,  Harpoot 321 

Miss  Caroline  E.  Bush,  Harpoot 321 

First  Expedition  Embarking  on  Ferryboat,  Euphrates  River  • 321 

A  Turkish  Teskere  or  Passport 322 

Diarbeker,  Vilayet  of  Diarbeker 331 

Ruins  of  an  Old  Gateway  at  Farkin 332 


ILI.USTRATIONS.  5 

PAGE 

Some  Methods  of  Work 340 

Salenilik 341 

Pera  Bridge,  Constantinople 341 

Turkish  Coffee  House 342 

Hamalls — Showing  Manner  of  Carrying  Heavy  Burdens 342 

Red  Cross  Expeditions  Passing  through  the  Valley  of  Catch  Beard 348 

A  Turkish  Procession  in  Arabkir 349 

Judge  Alexander  W.  Terrell,  United  States  Minister  to  Constantinople  during 

the  Anneiiian  Troubles 351 

Armenian  and  Turkish  Decorations 352 

Group   of   Arnieuian    Teachers  and   Pupils,   Harpoot    American    Missionary 

College 357 

Clara  Barton,  taken  in  1897 358 

A  Part  of  the  American  National  Red  Cross  Fleet  in  the  Spanish-American 

War  of  1898 371 

Officers  of  the  Executive  Connnittee  American  National  Red  Cross 372 

Admiral  William  T.  Sampson 381 

Governor-General's  Palace,  Havana  / 382 

Entrance  to  Harbor  of  "Havana — Punta  Park 391 

John  D.  Long,  Secretary  of  Navy 392 

On  San  Juan  Hill,  Santiago 407 

Spanish  Guerillas • 409 

A  Mounted  Advance,  Reconnoitring 410 

United  States  Steamship  "  Oregon  " 413 

"Almirante  Oquendo,"  after  the  Engagement 419 

United  States  Warships  before  the  Entrance  to  Santiago  Harbor 421 

"  Marie  Teresa  "  after  the  Engagement 424 

Chickamauga  Camp 427 

Camp  Thomas,  Headquarters  American  National  Red  Cross 428 

Fortifications  of  Manila 440 

Red  Cross  Dining  Room  for  Convalescents,  Fort  McPhersoii,  Ga 445 

Dining  Tent  Attached  to  Red  Cross  Kitchen,  at  Camp  Hobson,  Ga 446 

Panorama  of  Manila 451 

In  the  Trenches  before  Santiago      453 

A  Soldier  Funeral 463 


6  THlv  RKI)  CROSS. 

PAOB 

McCalla  Camp— Karly  Morning  Attack 454 

A  Typical  Cuban  Camp      464 

A  Cuban  "  Block  House,"  Garrisoned 481 

A  View  of  PXstern  Cuba 4*2 

A  Part  of  the  Red  Cross  Corps 499 

"  I  Am  with  the  Wounded." — Clara  Barton's  Cable  Message  from  Havana  .    .    500 

Wreck  of  the  Battleship  "  Maine,"  Havana  Harbor 517 

The  Prado — Principal  Street  in  Havana 518 

Havana  Harlx)r 535 

Captain  C.   D.  Sigsbee 536 

Street  in  Cavite 539 

Citizens  of  Jaruco  Presenting  a  Memorial  for  the  Victims  of  the  "  Maine  "  .    .    553 

Little  Convalescents  in  Hospital 554 

Location  of  Shore  Batteries,  Santiago 556 

July  Fifth  in  Rifle  Pits  558 

Scenes  on  the  "  State  of  Texas  "  and  in  Siboney 570 

The  Physicians  and  Nurses  of  the  Orphanage  and  Clinic  in  Havana 571 

A  Cuban  Thatch  Hut 581 

A  Battery  of  Cuban  Artillery 582 

A  Group  of  Red  Cross  Sisters 591 

Diploma  of  Gratitude  for  Miss  Clara  Barton  from  ilie  l\c(l  Cross  of  Spain   .    .    592 

View  of  Santiago  de  Cuba  from  the  Harbor 675 

View  of  Morro  Castlf,  Santia;;o  de  Cuba 676 

The  Burning  of  Siboney 597 

Annie  E.  Wheeler 609 

The  Youngest  Red  Cross  Nurse 610 

Scenes  in  Siboney 627 

Scenes  in  Santiago 628 

Refugees  from  Santiago 636 

Santiago  Refugees  at  El  Caney 639 

Establishing  Headquarters  Ashore 640 

Starving  in  the  Plaza 64>.» 

Los  Fosos    .    . , 648 

Bringing  in  the  Wounded , 657 

Clearing  for  a  Cross  Road 658 


Contents. 


FAOB 

To  THE  PKOFI.E 13 

Introduction 17 


The  Red  Cross.     General  History       23 

Organization  and  Methods  of  Work      .    , 27 

Occupation  in  Times  of  Peace 29 

Services  in  Time  of  War 30 

Neutral  Countries  in  Time  of  Peace       34 

International  Correspondence.     ]\I.  Moynier's  First  I.etter 36 

American  Association  of  the  Red  Cross.     Constitution  and  Original  In- 
corporation         46-47 

First  International  Conference 48 

The  Treaty  of  the  Red  Cross 57 

Governments  Adopting  the  Treaty 58 

Address  by  Clara  Barton 60 

Action  of  the  United  States  Government 72 

The  "  Additional  Articles  "  Concerning  the  Navy 74 

International  Bulletin,  Extract  from 77 

Accession  of  the  United  States  to  the  Treaty  and  "  Additional  Articles  "  .  80 

Proclamation  of  President  Arthur 85 

International  Bulletin.     Concerning  Adhesion  of  the  United  States    ...  87 
International  Committee.     Letter  Acknowledging  Notice  of  Adhesion  by 

United  States 90 

International   Committee.     Fiftieth    Circular    Announcing   Adoption    of 

Treaty  by  United  States 91 

Significance  of  "  Red  Cross  "  in  its  Relation  to   Philanthropy.     Address 

by  Clara  Barton 97 

(7) 


Tlili  RED  CROSS. 


VAGB 

MicHiOAN  Forest  Fires '°7 

Mississii'i'i  AND  Ohio  RivKR  Floods m 

Mississippi  AND  Louisiana  Cyclonk '12 

Ohio  River  Flood ^'5 

Down  the  Mississippi     '-' 

"The  Little  Six" I3<^ 


Texas  Famine • 13^ 

The  Mount  Vkrnon  Cyclone H5 

Yellow  Fever  Epidemic  in  Florida -147 

The  MacCleuuy  Nurses I5' 


The  Johnstown  Flood      i  5j 

Arrival  at  Johnstown 158 

Appointment  of  Committees 160 

The  Work  of  Relief 161 

Farewell  to  Miss  Barton 169 

"  The  Dread  Conemaugh  " 170 

In  Menioriam 174 


The  RUS.SIAN  Famine 175 

Count  Tolstoi  on  the  Character  of  the  Peasants 176 

Beginning  of  American  Relief 177 

Appreciation  of  American  Sympathy 1 80 

Dr.  Hubbell's  Report 184 


CONTENTS.  9 


PAOE. 


The  Reincorporation  of  the  American  National  Red  Cross 94 


Sea  Islands  Hurricane 197 

Coast  of  South  Carolina        197 

Admiral  Beardslee's  Description  of  the  Hurricane 203 

Relief  Work  South  of  Broad  River 211 

Report  by  John  McDonald 211 

Hiltonhead  District  Clothing  Department.    Report  by  Mrs.  MacDonald  .  220 

Medical  Department.     Report  by  Dr.  E.  W.  Egan 222-228 

Relief  Methods  in  Field.     Dr.  Hubbell's  Report 232 

On  the  Charleston  Group.     Report  by  H.  L,.  Bailey 244 

The  Clothing  Department.     Mrs.  Gardner's  Report 252 

The  Sewing  Circles 257 

A  Christmas  Carol 261 

Mrs.  Reed's  Report 263 

Leaving  the  Field •     • 268 

Letter  to  Charleston  Nezvs  and  Courier 268 

Circular  to  Clergymen  and  Committees 273 


Armenia 275 

Distance  and  Difficulties  of  Travel  and  Transportation 305 

Funds 307 

Committees 310 

To  the  Press  of  the  United  States 313 

To  Contributors 313 

To  the  Government  at  Washington 314 

To  Our  Legation  in  Constantinople •  .    .    .    .  314 

To  the  Ambassadors  of  other  Nations 315 

Commendatory 315 

"  Marmora."     Poem  by  Clara  Barton 319 

Report  of  Financial  Secretary      324 


10  IHli  KlUJ  CKObiS. 

PAGE. 

Gencrnl  Field  Ajienl's  Report      334 

Medical  Reix.rt 35° 


The  Spanish-Amkrican  War 360 

Home  Cani{)s  and  American  Waters 361 

The  Central  Cuban  Relief  Committee,  Appointment  of      362 

The  Red  Cross  Requested  to  Administer  Relief  in  Cuba 365 

Taking  Command  of  the  "  State  of  Texas  " 368 

Relief  Work  at  Tampa  and  Key  West 368 

Feeding  Spanish  Prisoners  of  War 369 

Correspondence  with  Admiral  Sampson 370 

Appointment  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the   Red    Cross   and   the 

Relief  Committee  of  New  York 375 

Communication  from  Secretary  of  State  Acknowledging  Official  Status 

of  the  American  National  Red  Cross 377 

The  Modus  Vivendi  with  Spain 384-394 

Services  of  the  Red  Cross  accepted  by  the  Government 395 

Appointment  of  Red  Cross  Field  Agents  for  the  Camps 395 

Camp  Alger,  Washington,  D.  C 397 

Camp  Thomas,  Chickamauga  Park 408 

Jacksonville  and  Miami,  Florida 414 

Fort  McPherson,  Atlanta,  Ga 420 

Camp  Hobson,  Lithia,  Ga 422 

St.  Paul  Red  Cross 425 

Montauk  Point,  Long  Island 426 

Pacific  Coast      431 

The  Red  Cross  of  California 433 

The  Red  Cross  of  Oregon      441 

The  Red  Cross,  Seattle,  Wash 452 

Porto  Rico 460 

Report  of  Horace  F.  Barnes 460 


CONTENTS  II 

PAGE. 

Shipments  by  United  States  Transports 470 

Relief  Committee  of  New  York,  Report  by 473 

Women's  Auxiliaries  of  the  Red  Cross 491 

"Women  who    went  to  the  Field."     Poem  by  Clara  Barton 509 


Cuba  and  the  Cuban  Campaign 514 

Havana 520 

Iwos  Fosos 521 

The  Orphanage 522 

Destruction  of  the  "Maine"      524 

Jaruca 527 

Matanzas 531 

Senator  Redfield  Proctor's  Speech  in  United  States  Senate 534 

Artemisa 540 

Sagua  La  Grande 542 

Cienfuegos 544 

Back  to  Havana       545 

Leaving  Havana  .    .  ■ 549 

On  Board  the  "  State  of  Texas" 550 

Tampa 552 

Arrival  at  Santiago 555 

Siboney 557 

Hospital  Work  at  Siboney 560 

Relief  Work  at  the  Front 566 

Entering  the  Harbor  of  Santiago 576 

Unloading  the  "  State  of  Texas" 577 

Feeding  the  Refugees 577 

Relief  Work  in  Santiago 578 

Departure  of  the  "  State  of  Texas  " 580 


12  THI-:  Ri:i)  cR(xss. 

PAGE. 

Thf  TraiisjKirt  "  Clinton  "  at  tho  Disposition  t)f  tlie  Red  Cross 583 

Leaving  Santiajjo  for  Havana 584 

Departure  from  Havana 585 


Reports. 

Report  of  Dr.  A.  Monae  Lesser 587 

Report  of  rinancial  Secretary,  Mr.  C.  H.  H.  Cottrell 600 

The  Schooner  "  Mary  E.  Morse."    Distribution  of  Ice 624 

lyctter  of  Santiago  Committee 637 

Medical  Report  by  E.  W.  Egau,  M.  D 642 

Clothing  Department.    Report  by  Miss  Annie  M.  Fowler 656 


The  Red  Cross  of  Other  Nations 662 

To  the  Congress  of  the  United  States.      Address  by  Clara  Barton 666 

To  the  Committees  on  The  Red  Cross 674 

To  the  Auxiliaries  of  the  Red  Cross  and  the  Nurses  Who  Went  to  the  War  677 

Unwritten  Thanks 680 

A  Word  of  Explanation 680 

Conclusion 681 

Notes 683 


TO  THE  PEOPLE. 


]NJ  recounting  the  experience  of  the  Red  Cross  in  the 
Cuban  campaign,  I  have  endeavored  to  tell  the 
story  of  the  events  as  they  succeeded  each  other, 
recording  simply  the  facts  connected  with  the 
work  of  the  War  Relief,  and  refraining  from 
criticism  of  men  and  methods.  There  were  un- 
pleasant incidents  to  relate,  and  unfortunate  con- 
ditions to  describe,  but  I  have  neither  said  nor 
written  that  any  particular  person,  or  persons,  were  to  blame.  It  is 
not  my  duty,  nor  is  it  within  my  power,  to  analyze  and  criticise  all  the 
intricate  workings  of  a  government  and  its  armies  in  the  field. 

The  conditions  that  existed  during  the  campaign  and  the  suffer- 
ing that  had  to  be  endured,  were  by  no  means  peculiar  to  the  Spanish- 
American  War.  Suffering,  sickness,  confusion,  and  death  —  these  are 
inseparable  from  every  armed  conflict.  They  have  always  existed 
under  such  circumstances;  they  arc  a  part  of  war  itself,  against  which 
no  human  foresight  can  wholly  provide. 

Every  civilized  government  is  financially  able  to  provide  for  its 
armies,  but  the  great  and  seemingly  insuperable  difficulty  is,  to  always 
have  what  is  wanted  at  the  place  where  it  is  most  needed.  It  is  a  i)art 
of  the  strategy  of  war,  that  an  enemy  seeks  battle  at  a  time  and  place 
when  his  opponent  is  least  prepared  for  it.  Occasionally,  too.  an 
attacking  commander  is  deceived.  Where  he  expects  only  slight  re- 
sistance, he  encounters  an  overwhelming  force  and  a  battle  of  unfore- 


14  KKD  CROSS. 

seen  proportions,  witli  unexpected  casualties,  occurs.  This  is  the 
universal  testimony  of  nations.  If  it  were  not  so,  all  needs  could  be 
provided  for  and  every  move  planned  at  the  outset. 

It  was  for  these  reasons  that  a  body  of  gentlemen,  now  known  as 
tlu-  International  Connnittee  of  Geneva,  aided  by  National  Associations 
in  each  country,  planned,  urged  and  finally  succeeded  in  securing  the 
adoption  of  the  Treaty  of  the  Red  Cross.  For  these  reasons  the  Treaty 
of  Geneva  and  the  National  Committees  of  the  Red  Cross  exist  to-day. 
It  is  through  the  National  Committees  of  the  Red  Cross  in  each  treaty 
nation,  that  the  people  seek  to  assist  the  government  in  times  of  great 
emergency,  in  war  or  other  calamity.  It  is  only  by  favoring  the 
organization  of  this  Auxiliary  Relief  in  times  of  peace,  encouraging  its 
development  to  the  highest  state  of  ef^ficiency,  preparing  to  utilize  not 
onlv  all  the  ordinary  resources,  but  also  the  generous  support  of  the 
people,  through  the  Red  Cross,  that  a  government  may  hope  to  avoid 
much  of  the  needless  suffering,  sickness  and  death  in  war. 

In  carrying  out  its  mission,  to  assist  in  the  prevention  and  relief  of 
suffering,  the  Red  Cross  has  neither  the  desire  nor  the  intention  to  be 
censorious,  and  is  actuated  neither  by  political  opinion  nor  motives  of 
interference.  It  is  but  the  outward  and  practical  expression  of  that 
universal  sympathy  that  goes  out  from  the  millions  of  homes  and  lire- 
sides,  from  the  great  heart  of  the  nation,  to  humanity  in  distress,  to  the 
soldier  on  the  march,  in  the  bivouac  and  on  the  field  of  battle. 

Through  all  the  past  years,  during  which  the  Red  Cross  has  sought 
recognition,  protection  and  co-operation,  it  was  but  for  one  purpose  — 
to  be  ready.  Our  only  regret  is  that,  during  the  late  war,  we  were  not 
able  to  render  greater  service.  Even  the  little  that  was  accomplished, 
could  not  have  been  done  without  the  ever  ready  assistance  of  the 
President  and  the  Secretary  of  War. 

Before  us  now  lie  the  problems  of  the  future,  and  the  question  is: 
How  shall  we  meet  them?  As  friends  of  humanity,  while  there  is  still 
a  possibility  of  war  or  calamity,  it  behooves  us  to  prepare.     In  America 


TO  THE  PUBLIC.  15 

perh^jx!,  we  are  apt  to  undervalue  careful  preparation  and  depend  too 
much  upon  our  impulses.  Certainly  in  no  other  country  have  the 
people  so  often  risen  from  a  state  of  unreadiness  and  accomplished  such 
wonderful  results  —  at  such  a  great  sacrifice.  The  first  American  war 
since  the  adoption  of  the  Treaty  of  Geneva,  has  brought  the  Red  Cross 
home  to  the  people;  they  have  come  to  understand  its  meaning  and 
desire  to  become  a  permanent  part  of  it.  Now  that  the  appropriate 
time  has  come,  it  is  the  purpose  of  the  Red  Cross,  relying  upon  the 
active  sympathy  of  the  government  and  the  generous  support  of  the 
people,  to  continue  its  work  of  preparation,  until  in  its  councils  and  in 
its  ranks  the  whole  country  shall  be  represented,  standing  together, 
ready  for  any  great  emergency,  inspired  by  the  love  of  humanity  and 
the  world-wide  motto  of  the  Red  Cross : 

"  In  time  of  peace  and  prosperity,  prepare  for  war  and  calamity." 


Ai)^cc/ra^7Bay?''^^x 


c/?^^ 


Copyright,  1898,  by  Clara  Barton         ^;5:igo^ 

THE  INTERNATIONAL  COMMITl^EH  OF  THE  RED  CROSS, 
GENEVA,  SWITZERLAND. 
Dr.  Appia  died,  succeeded  by  M.  E.  Jouard  Naville.     Recent  additions  to  the 
Committee  are,  N.  Adolphc  Moynier  and  M.  Paul  des  Guulles,  Secretary  to 
the  President. 


CLARA   BARTON. 
Taken  about  1885. 


INTRODUCTION, 


-O  be  called  to  tell  in  a  few  brief  weeks  the  whole  story 
of  the  Red  Cross  from  its  origin  to  the  present  time 
seems  a  labor  scarcely  less  than  to  have  lived  it.  It  is 
a  task  that,  however  unworthily  it  may  now  be  per- 
formed, is,  in  itself,  not  unworthy  the  genius  of  George 
Eliot  or  Macaulay.  It  is  a  story  illustrating  the  rapid  rise 
of  the  humane  sentiment  in  the  latter  half  of  the  nineteenth  century. 
On  its  European  side,  it  tells  of  the  first  timid  and  cautious  pntting 
forth  of  the  sentiment  of  humanity  in  war,  amid  the  rattling  swords 
and  guns  of  Solferino,  its  deaths  and  wounds  and  its  subsequent 
awful  silence. 

It  tells  of  its  later  fertilization  on  the  red  fields  of  Gravelotte  and 
Sedan  beneath  my  own  personal  observation. 

It  was  from  such  surroundings  as  these  that  the  Red  Cross  has 
become  the  means  by  which  philanthropy  has  been  grafted  onto  the 
wild  and  savage  stem  of  war. 

From  the  first  filaments  spun  in  the  heart  of  a  solitan,'  traveler 
have  been  drawn  onward  stronger  and  larger  strands,  until  now  more 
than  forty  of  the  principal  nations  of  the  earth  are  bound  together  by 
bonds  of  the  highest  international  law,  that  must  make  war  in  the 
future  less  barbarous  than  it  has  been  in  the  past. 

It  gives  hope  that  "  the  very  torrent,  tempest  and  whirlwind  "  of 
war  itself  may  some  day  at  last,  far  off,  perhaps,  give  way  to  the 
sunny  and  pleasant  days  of  perpetual  and  universal  f>eace.     When  a 

2  (IJ, 


i8  INTRODUCTION. 

proposition  for  an  absolute  and  common  disarmament  of  nations,  made 
by  the  strongest  of  the  rulers  of  EuroiX',  will  not  be  met  by  cynical 
sneers  and  suggestions  of  Machiavelian  cratl. 

On  its  American  side  it  is  a  story  of  such  immense  success  on  the 
part  of  the  American  National  Red  Cross  in  some  of  its  greatest  and 
most  difficult  fields  of  labor,  that  no  finaiicial  report  of  them  has  ever 
been  made,  because  the  story  would  have  been  altogether  incredible. 
The  universal  opinion  of  ordinary  business  people  would  have  been  that 
these  results  could  not  have  been  obtained  on  the  means  stated,  and 
therefore  something  nuist  be  wrong  or  hidden,  and  to  save  ourselves 
from  painful  suspicion,  it  was  decided,  rightly  or  wrongly,  that  the 
story  nnist  remain  substantially  untold  till  its  work  in  other  fields  had 
prepared  the  public  mind  to  accept  the  literal  truth. 

But  the  time  has  come  at  last  when  the  facts  may  properly  be  set 
forth  without  fear  that  they  will  be  discredited  or  undervalued. 

It  will  relate  some  of  the  experiences,  the  labors,  the  successes  and 
triumphs  of  the  American  National  Red  Cross  in  times  of  peace,  by 
which  it  had  prepared  itself  to  enter  upon  the  Cuban  contest  as  its  first 
independent  work  in  time  of  war. 

The  Red  Cross  has  done  its  part  in  that  contest  in  the  same 
spirit  in  which  it  has  heretofore  done  all  the  work  which  has  been  com- 
mitted to  its  care.  It  has  done  it  unobtrusively,  faithfully  and 
successfully. 

It  may  not  altogether  have  escaped  censure  in  the  rather  wild 
cyclone  of  criticism  that  has  swept  over  the  country,  but  we  remember 
not  so  much  the  faultfinding  that  may  have  occasionally  been  poured 
out  upon  the  Red  Cross,  as  the  blessings  and  benedictions  from  all 
sides  for  work  well  and  nobl}'^  done  that  have  fallen  even  upon  its 
humblest  ministers  and  assistants 


INTRODUCTION.  -v 

It  has  been  truthfully  said  that  "  so  great  has  been  the  pressure  to 
share  the  difficulties  and  dangers  of  this  service  with  only  transpor- 
tation and  subsistence  for  pay,  that  the  Red  Cross  could  on  these  terms 
have  had  as  many  volunteers  as  there  were  enlisted  men,  if  their 
services  could  have  been  utilized  and  made  important." 

Indeed,  it  seems  to  have  become  the  milder  romance  of  war,  and 
is  gradually  winning  its  way  into  the  very  heart  of  the  pomp  and  cir- 
cumstance of  "  glorious  "  war  itself. 

The  Red  Cross  has  therefore  come  to  be  so  loved  and  trusted,  its 
principles  and  insignia  have  been  so  deeply  set  into  the  substance  of 
international  law  and  the  life  of  many  great  nations,  that  people 
everywhere  are  beginning  to  ask  with  enthusiasm  about  its  origin  and 
history;  about  the  principles  on  which  it  acts.  They  ask  for  some 
statement  of  its  experiences,  its  hardships  and  its  perils,  and  for  some 
account  of  those  who  have  been  most  prominent  in  its  operations. 

It  is  partially  to  answer  these  and  many  similar  inquiries  that  this 
book  has  been  prepared.  It  is  in  part  a  compilation  and  revision  of 
various  statements  necessarily  incomplete  and  unsatisfactory',  made 
from  time  to  time  to  meet  emergencies.  In  part  it  has  been  wholly 
rewritten. 

A  great  portion  of  the  story  of  the  Red  Cross  has  been  told  in 
other  languages  than  English,  because  it  was  of  work  done  by  other 
than  English  people.  Much  of  this  literature  has  never  been  trans- 
lated or  placed  within  the  reach  of  the  English-speaking  public. 

Although  the  gradual  growth  of  the  idea  of  something  like 
humanity  in  war,  stimulated  by  the  ignorant  and  insane  horrors  of 
India  and  the  Crimea,  and  soothed  and  instructed  by  the  sensible  and 
practical  work  of  Florence  Nightingale,  had  slowly  but  surely  led  up  to 
the  conditions  which  made  such  a  movement  possible,  it  was  not  until 
the  remarkable  campaign  of   Napoleon  III.  in  Northern    Italy  again 


so  INTRODUCTION. 

woke  the  slumbering  sympathies  of  the  world  tliat  auy  definite  steps 
revealed  themselves. 

In  compiling  this  book  I  have  been  compelled  to  make  use  of 
much  of  the  material  contained  in  a  previous  history  written  by  myself 
in  1883,  which  in  turn  was  based  upon  the  records  and  the  literature 
of  the  International  Committee,  and  the  official  correspondence  con- 
nected with  the  treaty. 


/(PXCCO^CL  TSoyP'X^'Z^    -• 


'ruT;Z^'^^'^^  W.KKHOVSH,  WASH.NOTOK,  D.  C. 


The  Red  Cross, 


CHAPTER  I. 


"N  June  24,  1859,  occurred  the  memorable  battle  of  Sol- 
ferino,  in  which  the  French  and  Sardinians  were  arrayed 
against  the  Austrians.  The  battle  raged  over  a  wide 
reach  of  country  and  continued  for  sixteen  hours;  at  the 
end  of  which  sixteen  thousand  French  and  Sardinian  sol- 
diers and  twenty  thousand  Austrians  lay  dead  or  were 
wounded  and  disabled  on  that  field.  The  old  and  ever-recurring  fact 
reappeared:  the  medical  staff  was  wholly  inadequate  to  the  immense 
task  suddenly  cast  upon  them.  For  days  after  the  battle  the  dead 
in  part  remained  unburied,  and  the  wounded  where  they  fell,  or  crawled 
away  as  they  could  for  shelter  and  help. 

A  Swiss  gentleman,  Henri  Dunant  by  name,  was  then  traveling 
near  that  battlefield,  and  was  deeply  impressed  by  the  scenes  there 
presented  to  him.  He  joined  in  the  work  of  relief,  but  the  inadequacy 
of  preparation  and  the  consequent  suffering  of  the  wounded  haunted 
him  afterwards  and  impelled  him  to  write  a  book  entitled  '*  A 
Souvenir  of  Solferino,"  in  which  he  strongly  advocated  more  humane 
and  extensive  appliances  of  aid  to  wounded  soldiers.  He  lectured 
about  them  before  the  "Society  of  Public  Utility"  of  Genev^a.  M. 
Gustav  Moynier,  a  gentleman  of  independent  fortune,  was  then  presi- 
dent of  that  society.  Dr.  Louis  Appia,  a  philanthropic  physician,  and 
Adolph  Ador,  a  counsellor  of  repute  in  Geneva,  became  interested  in 
his  views.  They  drew  the  attention  of  Dufour,  the  general  of  the 
Swiss  army,  to  the  subject,  and  enlisted  his  hearty  co-operation.  A 
meeting  of  this  society  was  called  to  consider  "a  proposition  relative 
to  the  formation  of  permanent  societies  for  the  relief  of  wounded  .sol- 
diers." This  meeting  took  place  on  the  ninth  of  February,  1863.  The 
tnatter  was  laid  fully  before  the  society.  It  was  heartily  received  and 
acted  upon  and  a  committee  was  appointed  with  M.  Moynier  at  its  head 

(23) 


24  THE   RED   CROSS. 

to  examine  into  methods  by  which  the  desired  results  might  be  obtained. 
So  fully  did  this  committee  realize  its  responsibility  and  the  magni- 
tude, grandeur  and  lalxjr  of  the  undertaking,  that  the  first  steps  were 
made  even  with  timidity.  But  overcoming  all  obstacles,  it  decided 
upon  a  plan  which  seemed  possible,  and  announced  for  the  twenty- 
sixth  of  the  following  October  a  reunion  to  which  were  invited  from 
many  countries  men  sympathizing  with  its  views  or  able  to  assist  in 
its  discussions.  This  international  conference  was  held  at  the  appointed 
time,  and  continued  its  sessions  four  days.  At  this  meeting  it  was 
decided  to  call  an  international  convention  to  be  held  at  Geneva  during 
the  autumn  of  the  following  year  (1864).  At  this  convention  was 
brought  out  the  Geneva  Treaty,  and  a  permanent  international  com- 
mittee with  headquarters  at  Geneva  was  formed,  and  the  fundamental 
plan  of  the  national  permanent  relief  societies  adopted. 

One  of  the  first  objects  necessary  and  desired  by  the  International 
Committee  for  the  successful  prosecution  of  its  work  was  the  co-operation 
by  some  of  the  more  important  states  of  Europe  in  a  treaty  which 
should  recognize  the  neutrality  of  the  hospitals  established,  of  the  sick 
and  wounded,  and  of  all  persons  and  effects  connected  with  the  relief 
service;  also  the  adoption  of  a  uniform  protective  sign  or  badge.  It 
inquired  with  care  into  the  disposition  of  the  several  governments,  and 
was  met  with  active  sympathy  and  moral  support.  It  first  secured  the 
co-operation  of  the  Swiss  Federal  Council  and  the  Emperor  of  France. 
It  shortly  after  procured  the  signatures  of  ten  other  governments,  which 
were  given  at  its  room  in  the  city  hall  of  Geneva,  August  22,  1864,  and 
was  called  the  Convention  pf  Geneva. 

Its  sign  or  badge  was  also  agreed  upon,  namely,  a  red  cross  on  a 
white  ground,  which  was  to  be  worn  on  the  arm  by  all  persons  acting 
with  or  in  the  service  of  the  committees  enrolled  under  the  convention. 

The  treat}'-  provides  for  the  neutrality  of  all  sanitary  supplies, 
ambulances,  surgeons,  nurses,  attendants,  and  sick  or  wounded  men, 
and  their  safe  conduct  when  they  bear  the  sign  of  the  organization,  viz: 
the  Red  Cross. 

Although  the  convention  which  originated  the  organization  was 
necessarily  international,  the  relief  societies  themselves  are  entirely 
national  and  independent;  each  one  governing  itself  and  making  its 
own  laws,  according  to  the  genius  of  its  nationality  and  needs. 

It  was  necessary  for  recognition  and  safety,  and  for  carrying  out 
the  general  provisions  of  the  treaty,  that  a  uniform  badge  should  be 
agreed  upon.     The  Red  Cross  was  chosen  out  of  compliment  to  the 


THE    RED   CROSS.  25 

Swiss  republic,  where  the  first  convention  was  held,  and  in  which  the 
central  committee  has  its  headquarters.  The  Swiss  colors  being  a 
white  cross  on  a  red  ground,  the  badge  chosen  was  these  colors  reversed. 

There  are  no  "  members  of  the  Red  Cross,"  but  only  members  of 
societies  whose  sign  it  is.  There  is  no  ' '  Order  of  the  Red  Cross. ' '  The 
relief  societies  use,  each  according  to  its  convenience,  whatever  methods 
seem  best  suited  to  prepare  in  times  of  peace  for  the  necessities  of 
sanitary  service  in  times  of  war.  They  gather  and  store  gifts  of  money 
and  supplies;  arrange  hospitals,  ambulances,  methods  of  transportation 
of  wounded  men,  bureaus  of  information,  correspondence,  etc.  All 
that  the  most  ingenious  philanthropy  could  devise  and  execute  has  been 
attempted  in  this  direction. 

In  the  Franco- Prussian  war  this  was  abundantly  tested.  That 
Prussia  acknowledged  its  beneficence  is  proven  by  the  fact  that  the 
emperor  affixed  the  Red  Cross  to  the  Iron  Cross  of  Merit.  The  number 
of  governments  adhering  to  the  treaty  was  shortly  after  increased  to 
twenty-two  and  at  the  present  date  there  are  forty-two. 

The  German-Austria  war  of  1866,  though  not  fully  developing  the 
advantages  of  this  international  law,  was  yet  the  means  of  discovering 
its  imperfections.  Consequently,  in  1867  the  relief  societies  of  Paris 
considered  it  necessary  that  the  treaty  should  be  revised,  modified  and 
completed.  Requests  were  issued  for  modification.  The  International 
Committee  transmitted  them  to  the  various  governments,  and  in  [868  a 
second  diplomatic  conference  was  convened  at  Geneva  at  which  were 
voted  additional  articles,  improving  the  treaty  by  completing  its  design 
and  extending  its  beneficial  action  to  maritime  warfare. 

During  the  war  of  1866  no  decisive  trial  of  the  new  principles 
involved  in  the  treaty  could  be  made,  for  Austria  at  that  time  had  not 
adopted  it.  But  in  1870-71  it  was  otherwise.  The  belligerents, 
both  France  and  Germany,  had  accepted  the  treaty.  Thus  it  became 
possible  to  show  to  the  world  the  immense  service  and  beneficent  results 
which  the  treaty,  through  the  relief  societies,  might  accomplish. 

The  dullest  apprehension  can  partially  appreciate  the  responsibility 
incurred  by  relief  societies  in  time  of  war.  The  thoughtful  mind  will 
readily  perceive  that  these  responsibilities  involve  constant  vigilance 
and  effort  during  periods  of  peace.  It  is  wise  statesmanship  wliich 
suggests  that  in  time  of  peace  we  must  prepare  for  war,  and  it  is  no 
less  a  wise  benevolence  that  makes  preparation  in  the  hour  of  peace  for 
assuaging  the  ills  that  are  sure  to  accompany  war.  We  do  not  wait  till 
battles  are  upon  us  to  provide  efficient  soldiery  and  munitions  of  war. 


2(,  THE    RKD    CROSS. 

Everything  that  foresii;lit  and  caution  can  devise  to  insure  success  is 
made  ready  and  kept  ready  against  the  time  of  need.  It  is  equally 
necessary  to  hold  ourselves  in  readiness  for  effective  service  in  the 
mitigation  of  evils  consequent  upon  war,  if  humane  work  is  to  be 
undertaken  for  that  purpose. 

Permanent  armies  are  organized,  drilled  and  supported  for  the 
actual  service  in  war.  It  is  no  less  incumbent  if  we  would  do  efficient 
work  in  alleviating  the  sufferings  caused  by  the  barbarisms  of  war, 
that  we  should  organize  philanthropic  efforts  and  be  ready  with  what- 
ever is  necessary,  to  be  on  the  field  at  the  sound  of  the  first  gun.  An 
understanding  of  this  truth  led  the  conference  of  1863  to  embody  in 
its  articles  as  one  of  its  first  cardinal  characteristics  the  following:  "  In 
time  of  peace  the  committee  will  occupy  itself  with  means  to  render 
genuine  assistance  in  time  of  war." 

The  International  Committee  assumed  that  there  should  be  a  relief 
association  in  every  country  which  endorsed  the  treaty,  and  so  generally 
was  the  idea  accepted  that  at  the  end  of  the  year  1864,  when  only  ten 
governments  had  been  added  to  the  convention,  twenty-five  committees 
had  been  formed,  under  each  of  which  relief  societies  were  organized. 
It  was,  however,  only  after  the  wars  of  1864,  1866  and  1870  that  the 
movement  began  really  to  be  popular.  These  conflicts  brought  not 
only  contestants,  but  neutral  powers  so  to  appreciate  the  horrors  of 
war,  that  they  were  quite  ready  to  acknowledge  the  beneficence  and 
wi.sdom  of  the  Geneva  Treaty.  Many  who  approved  the  humane  idea 
and  expressed  a  heart^'  sympathy  for  the  object  to  be  obtained,  had 
heretofore  regarded  it  as  Utopian,  a  thing  desirable  but  not  attainable, 
an  amiable  and  fanatical  illusion  which  would  ever  elude  the  practical 
grasp.  Nevertheless,  the  work  accomplished  during  the  wars  referred 
to  won  over  not  only  such  cavillers,  but  persons  actually  hostile  to  the 
movement,  to  regard  it  as  a  practical  and  most  beneficent  undertaking. 
The  crowned  heads  of  Europe  were  quick  to  perceive  the  benign  uses 
of  the  associations,  and  bestowed  upon  the  central  committees  of  their 
countries  money,  credit  and  personal  approbation.  The  families  of 
sovereigns  contributed  their  sympathy  and  material  support.  The  list 
of  princes  and  princesses  who  came  forward  with  personal  aid  and 
assumed  direction  of  the  work,  was  by  no  means  small,  thus  proving  cor- 
rect the  augury  of  the  Conference  of  1863,  that  "  The  governments  would 
accord  their  high  protection  to  the  committees  in  their  organization." 

From  one  of  the  bulletins  of  the  International  Committee  we  make 
the  following  hopeful  extract : 


ORGANIZATION   AND   METHODS   OF   WORK.  27 

"  The  whole  of  Europe  is  marshaled  under  the  banner  of  the  Red 
Cross.  To  its  powerful  and  peaceful  sign  the  connnittee  hopes  to  bring 
all  the  civilized  nations  of  the  earth.  Wherever  men  fight  and  tear 
each  other  in  pieces,  wherever  the  glare  and  roar  of  war  are  heard, 
they  aim  to  plant  the  white  banner  that  bears  the  blessed  sign  of  relief. 
Already  they  have  carried  it  into  Asia.  Their  ensign  waves  in  Sil:>eria, 
on  the  Chinese  frontier,  and  in  Turkestan,  and.  through  the  African 
committee,  in  Algeria  and  Egypt.  Oceanica  has  a  committee  at  Batavia. 
Japan  accepted  the  Treaty  of  Geneva  in  1886,  and  on  the  breaking  out 
of  hostilities  between  Japan  and  China,  the  Minister  of  War  issued  a 
notif  cation  to  the  Japanese  army,  September  22,  1894,  calling  theit 
attention  to  the  substance  of  the  treaty." 


ORGANIZATION  AND  METHODS  OF  WORK. 


One  of  the  things  considered  indispensable,  and  therefore  adopted 
as  a  resolution  by  the  Conference  of  1863,  was  the  centralization  of  the 
work  in  each  country  separately  by  itself. 

While  the  treaty  must  be  universally  acknowledged  and  its  badge 
accepted  as  a  universal  sign,  it  was  equally  essential  that  the  societies 
of  the  different  countries  should  be  simply  national  and  in  no  resj^ect 
international.  It  was  therefore  ordained  by  the  conference  that  all 
local  committees  or  organizations  desirous  of  working  with  the  Red 
Cross,  should  do  so  under  the  auspices  of  the  Central  Committee  of  theii 
own  nation,  which  is  recognized  by  its  government  and  also  recognized  by 
the  International  Committee  from  which  the  sign  of  the  Red  Cross 
emanates.  Singularly  enough,  the  International  Committee  has  had 
considerable  difficulty  in  making  this  fully  understood,  and  frequently 
has  been  obliged  to  suggest  to  local  committees  the  necessity  for  their 
subordination  to  the  Central  or  National  Committee.  Once  in  three 
months  the  International  Committee  publishes  an  official  list  of  all 
central  committees  recognized  by  it  as  national.  In  this  way  it  is  able 
to  exercise  a  certain  control,  and  to  repress  entanglements  and  abuses 
which  would  become  consequent  on  irresponsible  or  counterfeit  organi- 
•/.ations.  To  recapitulate:  the  Commission  of  Geneva,  of  which  M. 
Moynier  is  president,  is  the  only  International  Committee.  All  other 
committees  are  simplj-  national  or  subordinate  to  national  committees. 


s8  Till-    RICI)   CROSS. 

The  Conference  of  1863  foresaw  tluU  national  differences  would  prevent 
a  universal  coile  of  nianajieinent,  and  that  to  make  the  societies  inter- 
national would  destroy  them,  so  far  as  efficiency  was  concerned.  They 
therefore  adopted  a  resolution  that  "  Central  committees  should  organize 
in  such  a  manner  as  seemed  the  most  useful  and  convenient  to  them- 
selves." Every  committee  being  its  own  judge,  has  its  own  constitu- 
tion and  laws.  To  be  efficient,  it  must  have  the  recognition  of  its  own 
government,  must  bear  the  stamp  of  national  individuality  and  be  con- 
structed according  to  the  spirit,  habits  and  needs  of  the  country  it  repre- 
sents. No  hierarchy  unites  the  national  societies;  they  are  indej^endent 
of  each  other,  but  they  have  each  an  individual  responsibility  to  the 
treaty,  under  the  ensign  of  which  they  work,  and  they  labor  in  a  com- 
mon cause.  It  is  desirable  that  they  should  all  be  known  by  one  name, 
namely,  the  Society  of  the  Red  Cross.  The  functions  of  the  Interna- 
tional Connnittee,  whose  headquarters  are  at  Geneva,  were  also  deter- 
mined by  the  Conference  of  1863.  It  is  to  serve  provisionally  as  an 
intermediate  agent  between  national  committees,  and  to  facilitate  their 
connnunications  with  each  other.  It  occupies  itself  with  the  general 
interests  of  the  Red  Cro.ss  in  correspondence,  and  the  study  of  theo- 
retical and  practical  methods  of  amelioration  and  relief. 

The  national  connnittees  are  charged  with  the  direction  and  respon- 
sibility for  the  work  in  their  own  countries.  They  must  provide 
resources  to  be  utilized  in  time  of  need,  take  active  measures  to  secure 
adherents,  establish  local  societies,  and  have  ati  efficient  working  force 
always  in  readiness  for  action,  and  in  time  of  war  to  dispatch  and  dis- 
tribute safely  and  wisely  all  accumulations  of  material  and  supplies, 
nurses  and  assistants,  to  their  proper  destination,  and,  in  short,  what- 
ever may  be  gathered  from  the  patriotism  and  philanthropy  of  the 
country.  They  must  always  remember  that  central  committees  without 
abundant  sectional  branches  would  be  of  little  use. 

In  most  countries  the  co-operation  of  women  has  been  eagerly 
sought.  It  is  needless  to  .say  it  has  been  as  eagerly  given.  In  some 
countries  the  central  committees  are  mixed,  both  sexes  working 
together;  in  others,  sub-committees  are  formed  by  women,  and  in 
others,  such  as  the  Grand  Duchy  of  Baden,  woman  leads. 

As  a  last  detail  of  organization,  the  Conference  of  1863  recom- 
mended to  the  central  committees  \.o  put  themselves  en  I'appoj't  with 
their  respective  governments,  in  order  that  their  offers  of  service  should 
be  accepted  when  required.  This  makes  it  incumbent  upon  national 
societies  to  obtain  and  hold  government  recognition,  by  which  they  are 


REUEF  SOCIETIES   IN   TIMES  OV   PEACE.  29 

endowed  with  the  inimunities  and  privileges  of  legally  constituted 
bodies  and  with  recognition  from  other  nations  in  time  of  war,  not 
otherwise  possible  to  them. 


OCCUPATIONS   OF   RELIEF   SOCIETIES 
IN    TIMES  OF   PEACE. 

Organization,  recognition  and  communication  are  by  no  means  all 
that  is  necessary  to  insure  the  fulfillment  of  the  objects  of  these  asso- 
ciations. A  thing  most  important  to  be  borne  in  mind  is  that  if  money 
be  necessary  for  war,  it  is  also  an  indispensable  agent  in  relief  of  the 
miseries  occasioned  by  war.  Self-devotion  alone  will  not  answer.  The 
relief  societies  need  funds  and  other  resources  to  carry  on  their  work. 
They  not  only  require  means  for  current  expenses,  but,  most  of  all,  for 
possible  emergencies.  To  obtain  and  prudently  conserve  these  resources 
is  an  important  work.  The  Russian  Society  set  a  good  example  of 
activity  in  this  direction.  From  the  beginning  of  its  organization  in 
1867  it  systematically  collected  mone)'  over  the  whole  empire  and 
neglected  nothing  that  tended  to  success.  It  put  boxes  in  churches, 
convents,  armories,  railroad  depots,  steamboats,  in  every  place  fre- 
quented by  the  public.  Beside  the  collection  of  funds,  the  Confer- 
ence of  1863  recommended  that  peace  periods  should  be  occupied 
in  gathering  necessary  material  for  service.  In  i868  there  were  in 
Geneva  alone  five  depots  where  were  accumulated  one  thousand  two 
hundred  and  twenty-eight  shirts,  besides  hosiery,  bandages,  lint,  etc., 
for  over  one  thousand  wounded.  There  were  also  large  collections 
in  the  provinces,  and  now,  thirty  years  later,  these  accumulations  have 
probably  greatly  increased.  In  other  countries  the  supplies  remaining 
after  wars  were  gathered  in  depots  and  were  added  to  abundantly. 
Thus,  in  1868,  the  Berlin  Committee  was  in  possession  of  supplies 
worth  over  twenty-five  thousand  dollars.  Especial  care  is  taken  to 
acquire  familiarity  with  the  use  of  all  sanitary  material,  to  eliminate 
as  far  as  possible  whatever  may  be  prejudicial  to  sick  or  wounded  men, 
to  improve  both  sanitary  system  and  all  supplies  to  be  used  under  it,  to 
have  everything  of  the  very  best,  as  surgical  instruments,  medicine 
chests,  bandages,  stretchers,  wagons,  tents  and  field  hospitals. 

We  would  refer  to  the  effort  made  in  the  national  exhibitions  of  the 
various  countries,  where  the  societies  of  the  Red  Cross  have  displayed 


30  THE   RED   CROSS. 

their  practical  iniprovemenls  and  inventions  in  competitive  fields,  taxing 
to  the  utmost  human  ingenuity  and  skill.  Some  countries  have  taken 
grand  prizes.  An  exposition  at  The  Hague  was  held  in  1867  exclusively 
for  the  work  of  the  Red  Cross.  Permanent  museums  have  been 
established  where  all  sorts  of  sanitary  material  for  relief  are  exhibited, 
as  may  l)e  seen  in  Stockholm,  Carlsruhe,  St.  Petersburg,  Moscow  and 
Paris.  The  museum  of  Paris  is  the  most  important  of  all,  and  is 
international,  other  countries  having  participated  in  its  foundation. 
Anotlicr  method  is  the  publication  of  works  bearing  upon  this  subject, 
some  of  which  are  scientific  and  very  valuable.  Not  less  important  is 
the  sanitary  personnel.  Of  all  aid,  efficient  nurses  are  the  most  difficult 
to  obtain.  There  are  numbers  of  men  and  women  who  have  the  will 
and  devotion  necessary  to  lead  them  into  hospitals  or  to  battlefields, 
but  very  few  of  them  are  capable  of  performing  well  the  duties  of 
nurses.  Therefore,  but  a  small  portion  of  the  volunteers  are  available. 
The  relief  societies  soon  found  that  women  were  by  nature  much  better 
fitted  for  this  duty  than  men  can  be,  and  to  enable  them  to  fulfill  to 
the  best  advantage  the  mission  for  which  they  are  so  well  adapted,  it 
was  decided  to  afford  them  the  best  possible  professional  instruction. 
For  this  purpose,  during  peace  training  schools  were  established  fi-om 
which  were  graduated  great  numbers  of  women  who  are  ready  at  a 
moment's  notice  to  go  upon  the  battlefield  or  into  hospitals.  The.-e 
professional  nurses  find  no  difficulty  during  times  of  peace  in  securing 
remunerative  employment.  Indeed,  they  are  eagerly  sought  for  by  the 
conununity  to  take  positions  at  the  bedside  of  the  sick,  with  the  proviso 
that  they  are  to  be  allowed  to  obey  the  pledge  of  their  society  at  the 
first  tocsin  of  war.  There  are  schools  for  this  purpose  in  England, 
Germany,  Sweden,  Holland,  Russia  and  other  European  countries, 
and  nothing  has  been  neglected  to  make  them  thorough  and  to  place 
them  on  a  strong  and  solid  basiS: 


SERVICES   IN   TIME   OF  WAR. 


Notwithstanding  the  readiness  with  which  most  persons  will 
perceive  the  beneficent  uses  of  relief  societies  in  war,  it  may  not  be 
amiss  to  particularize  some  of  the  work  accomplished  by  the  societies 
of  the  Red  Cross.     Not  to  mention  civil  disturbances  and  lesser  conflicts. 


SERVICES   IN   TIME  OF  WAR.  3i 

they  participated  in  not  less  than  five  great  wars  in  the  first  ten  years, 
commencing  with  Schleswig-HoLstein,  and  ending  with  the  Franco- 
German.  Russia  and  Turkey  have  followed,  with  many  others  since 
that  time,  in  all  of  which  these  societies  have  signally  proved  their 
power  to  ameliorate  the  horrors  of  war.  The  earlier  of  these,  while 
affording  great  opportunity  for  the  beneficent  work  of  the  societies, 
were  also  grand  fields  of  instruction  and  discipline  to  the  committee, 
enabling  them  to  store  'up  vast  funds  of  practical  knowledge  which 
were  to  be  of  great  service. 

The  Sanitary  Commission  of  the  United  States  also  served  as  an 
excellent  example  in  many  respects  to  the  relief  societies  of  Europe, 
and  from  it  they  took  many  valuable  lessons.  Thus  in  1866  Eunjpe 
was  much  better  prepared  than  ever  before  for  the  care  of  those  who 
suffered  from  the  barbarisms  of  war.  She  was  now  ready  with  seme 
degree  of  ability  to  oppose  the  arms  of  charity  to  the  arms  of  violence, 
and  make  a  kind  of  war  on  war  itself.  Still  however  there  was  a  lack 
of  ceutralizjation.  The  provincial  committees  worked  separately,  and 
consequently  lost  force.  Notwithstanding  these  drawbacks,  large 
amounts  of  money  were  gathered,  and  munificent  supplies  of  material 
brought  into  store.  The  Austrian  Committee  alone  collected  2,170,000 
francs,  and  a  great  supply  of  all  things  needed  in  hospital  ser\ice. 
The  Central  Committee  was  of  great  use  in  facilitating  correspondence 
between  the  different  peoples  comprising  the  Austrian  Empire,  the 
bureau  maintaining  correspondence  in  eleven  different  languages. 

Italy  was  not  backward  in  the  performance  of  her  duty.  She  used 
her  abundant  resources  in  the  most  effectual  way.  Not  only  were  her 
provincial  societies  of  relief  united  for  common  action,  but  they 
received  external  aid  from  France  and  Switzerland.  Here  was  exhib- 
ited the  first  beautiful  example  of  neutral  powers  interfering  in  the 
cause  of  charity  in  time  of  war — instead  of  joining  in  the  work  of 
destruction,  lending  their  aid  to  repair  its  damages.  The  provincial 
committees  banded  together  under  the  Central  Committee  of  Milan. 
Four  squads,  comprising  well-trained  nurses  and  assistants,  were 
organized  and  furnished  with  all  necessary  material  to  follow  the 
military  ambulances  or  field  hospitals,  whose  wagons  were  placed  at 
their  disposal. 

Thus  the  committee  not  only  reinforced  the  sauitar>'  personnel 
of  the  army,  but  greatly  increased  its  supplies.  It  provided  entirely 
the  sanitary  material  for  the  Tyrolese  volunteers,  and  afforded  relief  to 
the  navy,  and  when  the  war  was  over  it  remained  among  the  wounded. 


32  THE   RED   CROSS. 

In  addition  to  the  supplies  this  committee  afforded,  it  expended  in 
money  not  less  than  199,064  francs. 

But  after  all  it  was  Germany  standing  between  the  two  armies 
which  distinguished  herself.  Since  the  Conference  of  1863  she  had 
been  acting  on  the  rule  of  preparation,  and  now  found  herself  in  readi- 
ness for  all  emergencies.  The  Central  Committee  of  Berlin  was  flooded 
with  contributions  from  the  provincial  committees.  In  the  eight 
provinces  of  Prussia  4,000,000  of  thalers  were  collected,  and  the  other 
states  of  Germany  were  not  behind.  So  munificently  did  the  people 
betJtow  their  aid,  that  large  storehouses  were  provided  in  Berlin  and  in 
the  provinces  for  its  reception,  and  at  the  central  depot  in  Berlin  two 
hundred  paid  persons,  besides  a  large  number  of  volunteers,  and  nearly 
three  hundred  ladies  and  misses  were  employed  in  classifying,  parcel- 
ing, packing  up,  and  dispatching  the  goods.  Special  railroad  trains 
carried  material  to  the  points  of  need.  In  one  train  were  twenty-six 
cars  laden  with  1800  to  2000  cwt.  of  supplies.  Never  had  private 
charity,  however  carefully  directed,  been  able  to  accomplish  sucii 
prodigies  of  benevolence.  It  was  now  that  the  beneficence  of  the 
Treat)'  and  the  excellence  of  the  organization  were  manifested.  But 
the  committee  did  not  confine  itself  to  sending  supplies  for  the  wounded 
to  the  seat  of  war.  It  established  and  provisioned  refreshment  stations 
for  the  trains,  to  which  those  unable  to  proceed  on  the  trains  to  the 
great  hospitals  without  danger  to  life,  were  admitted,  nursed  and  cared 
for  with  the  tenderest  solicitude  until  they  were  sufficiently  recovered 
to  be  removed,  or  death  took  them.  At  the  station  of  Pardubitz  from 
six  hundred  to  eight  hundred  were  cared  for  daily  for  two  months,  and 
lodging  provided  for  three  hundred  at  night.  This  example  suffices  to 
show  the  extraordinary  results  of  well-organized  plans  and  concerted 
action.  During  the  war,  the  relief  societies  had  also  to  contend  with 
the  terrible  scourge  of  cholera.  There  can  be  no  estimate  of  the  misery 
assuaged  and  deaths  prevented  by  the  unselfish  zeal  and  devotion  of  the 
wearers  of  the  Red  Cross. 

In  the  interval  between  the  wars  of  1866  and  1867,  and  that  of 
1870-71,  the  time  had  been  improved  by  the  societies  existing  under 
the  Geneva  Treat)-,  in  adding  to  their  resources  in  every  possible 
manner.  Improvements  were  made  in  all  articles  of  sanitary  service; 
excellent  treatises  regarding  the  hygiene  of  the  camp  and  hospital  were 
widely  circulated;  the  press  had  greatly  interested  itself  in  the  promul- 
gation of  infonnation  regarding  all  matters  of  interest  or  instruction 
pertaining  to  sanitary  effort,  and  almost  universally  lent  its  powerftd 


SERVICES    IN    TIME   OF    WAR.  33 

influence  to  build  up  the  societies.  Ten  new  societies  were  formed  during 
this  time.  In  Germany  the  work  of  the  Red  Cross  was  so  thoroughly 
organized,  that  at  the  first  signal  from  Berlin,  committees  arrived  as  if 
by  magic  at  all  required  points,  forming  a  chain  which  extended  over 
the  whole  country,  and  numbered  over  two  thousand  persons.  This  is 
more  remarkable  since  Germany  was  a  neutral  power.  Constant  com- 
munication was  kept  up  between  these  committees  and  the  central 
bureau,  and  the  most  perfect  order  and  discipline  were  maintained. 
Relief  was  sent  from  one  or  another  of  these  stations  as  was  needed. 
The  state  afforded  free  transport,  and  the  voluntary  contributions  of  the 
people  kept  up  the  supplies  of  sanitary  material,  so  that  there  was 
never  any  lack  or  danger  of  failure.  With  the  government  transports, 
whether  by  land  or  water,  there  went  always  the  agents  of  the  Red 
Cross,  protected  by  their  badges  and  flag,  to  wait  on  the  invoices,  hasten 
their  progress,  see  to  their  being  kept  in  good  order,  and  properly 
delivered  at  their  destination.  Depots  of  supplies  were  moved  from 
place  to  place  as  exigencies  demanded.  The  greatest  care  was  taken 
to  prevent  disorder  or  confusion,  and  the  best  military  circumspection 
and  regularity  prevailed.  The  great  central  depot  at  Berlin  comprised 
seven  sections,  viz:  Camp  material;  clothing;  dressing,  for  wounds; 
surgical  apparatus;  medicines  and  disinfectants;  food  and  tobacco;  and 
hospital  furnishings.  Did  space  allow,  it  would  be  desirable  to  give 
statistics  of  the  contributions  in  money  and  supplies  to  this  service. 
Suffice  it  to  say,  the  humanity  of  peoples  is  far  beyond  that  of  govern- 
ments. Governments  appropriate  immense  sums  to  carry  on  destructive 
conflicts,  but  the  work  of  relief  societies  the  world  over,  and  especially 
during  the  war  of  1870-71,  has  shown  that  the  philanthropy  of  the 
people  equals  their  patriotism.  The  sums  given  to  assuage  the  miseries 
of  the  Franco-Prussian  war  were  simply  fabulous.  In  1863,  fears  were 
expressed  that  there  would  be  difficulty  in  collecting  needful  funds  and 
supplies  to  carry  out  the  designs  of  the  treaty.  These  misgivings 
proved  groundless.  After  the  war  of  1870-71,  notwithstanding  nothing 
had  been  withheld  in  the  way  of  relief,  the  societies  settled  their 
accounts  with  large  balances  in  their  treasuries. 

In  France  not  nearly  so  much  had  been  previously  done  to  provide 
for  the  exigencies  which  fell  upon  them,  but  the  committee  worked  with 
such  vigor  and  so  wrought  upon  the  philanthropy  of  individuals,  that 
active  measures  of  relief  were  instantly  taken.  Gold  and  supplies 
poured  into  the  hands  of  the  committee  at  Paris.  One  month  sufficed  to 
organize  and  provide  seventeen  campaign  ambulances  or  field  hospitals, 


31  THE   RKD   CROSS. 

which  immediately  joined  the  army  and  accompanied  it  through 
the  first  period  of  the  war,  or  until  the  battle  of  Sedan.  In  Paris 
ambulances  were  stationed  at  the  railroad  depots  to  pick  up  the  wounded, 
and  a  bureau  of  information  was  created  for  soldiers'  families.  When 
the  siege  of  Paris  was  about  to  take  place,  the  committee  threw,  with- 
out delay,  a  commission  into  Brussels  charged  with  the  direction  and 
help  of  flying  hospitals.  Nine  connnittees  were  established  in  the 
provinces,  with  power  to  act  for  the  Central  Committee  and  to  invite  the 
people  to  help.  Meanwhile  the  committee  in  Paris  did  its  utmost  to 
mitigate  the  distress  that  reigned  there,  and  to  prepare  for  the  result  of 
the  siege.  History  has  recorded  the  sufferings,  the  horrors  of  misery 
that  accompanied  and  followed  that  siege;  but  history  can  never  relate 
what  wretchedness  was  averted,  what  agonies  were  alleviated,  what 
multitudes  of  lives  were  saved,  by  the  presence  and  effort  of  the  relief 
societies  !  What  the  state  of  France  must  have  been  without  the  mer- 
ciful help  of  the  Red  Cross  societies  the  imagination  dare  not  picture. 
After  the  armistice  was  signed  there  were  removed  from  Paris,  under 
the  auspices  of  the  relief  societies,  ten  thousand  wounded  men,  who 
otherwise  must  have  lingered  in  agony,  or  died  from  want  of  care;  and 
there  were  brought  back  by  them  to  French  soil  nine  thousand  men 
who  had  been  cared  for  in  German  hospitals. 


HELP  FROM  NEUTRAL  COUNTRIES. 


Neutral  countries  also  during  this  war  were  read}'  and  bountiful 
with  help;  and  those  working  under  the  treaty  did  most  effectual 
service.  England  contributed  7,500,000  francs,  besides  large  gifts  of 
sanitary  supplies;  in  one  hundred  and  eighty-eight  days'  time  she  sent 
to  the  seat  of  war  twelve  thousand  boxes  of  supplies  through  the  agents 
of  the  Red  Cross. 

To  give  an  idea  of  the  readiness  and  efficacy  with  which  the  com- 
mittees worked  even  in  neutral  countries,  one  instance  will  suffice. 
From  Pont-a-Mousson  a  telegram  was  sent  to  London  for  two  hundred 
and  fifty  iron  beds  for  the  wounded,  and  in  forty-eight  hours  they 
arrived  in  answer  to  the  request.  England  kept  also  at  the  seat  of  war 
agents  to  inform  the  committee  at  home  of  whatever  was  most  needed 
in  supplies.     The  neutral  countries  sent  also  surgeons,  physicians  and 


HELP  FROM  NEUTRAL  COUNTRIES.  35 

nurses,  and  in  many  other  ways  gave  practical  testimony  to  the  benign 
efl&cacy  of  the  G^jneva  treaty. 

As  will  be  seen  by  the  foregoing  pages,  the  objects  and  provisions 
of  the  Geneva  convention  and  the  societies  acting  under  it,  are  designed 
for,  and  applicable  to,  the  exigencies  of  war  only.  The  close  contact  of 
the  nations  hitherto  signing  this  treaty,  renders  them  far  more  liable 
to  the  recurrence  of  war  among  them  than  our  own,  which  by  its 
geographical  position  and  distance  from  neighboring  nations,  entertains 
a  feeling  of  cecurity  which  justifies  the  hope  that  we  may  seldom,  if 
ever  again,  have  occasion  to  provide  for  the  exigencies  of  war  in  our  land. 

This  leads  the  American  Red  Cross  to  perceive  the  great  wisdom, 
foresight  and  breadth  of  the  resolution  adopted  by  the  convention  of 
1863,  which  provides  that  "Committees  shall  organize  in  the  manner 
which  shall  seem  most  useful  and  convenient  to  themselves;"  also  in 
their  article  on  the  organization  of  societies  in  these  pages  occurs  the 
following:  "To  be  efficient,  societies  must  have  government  recog- 
nition, must  bear  the  stamp  of  their  national  individuality,  and  be 
constructed  according  to  the  spirit,  habits,  and  needs  of  the  country 
they  represent.     This  is  essential  to  success. ' ' 

As  no  work  can  retain  its  vitality  without  constant  action,  so  in  a 
country'  like  ours,  with  a  people  of  so  active  a  temperament,  an  essen- 
tial element  in  endearing  to  them  a  work,  is  to  keep  constantly  before 
them  its  usefulness.  With  this  view  the  question  of  meeting  the  want 
heretofore  felt  on  all  occasions  of  public  calamity,  of  sufficient  extent 
to  be  deemed  of  national  importance,  has  received  attention  at  the 
hands  of  this  association.  For  this  purpose  the  necessary  steps  have 
been  inaugurated  to  organize  auxiliary  societies,  prepared  to  co-operate 
with  the  central  association  in  all  plans  for  prompt  relief;  whilst  the 
volunteers  who  shall  render  personal  aid  will  be  expected  to  hold 
themselves  in  the  same  readiness  as  in  the  case  of  an  international  call. 

It  must,  however,  be  distinctly  understood  that  these  additional 
functions  for  local  purposes  shall  in  no  manner  impair  the  international 
obligation  of  the  association;  but  on  the  contrary  it  is  believed  will 
render  them  more  effective  in  time  of  need. 

It  may  appear  singular  that  a  movement  so  humane  in  its  purposes, 
so  wise  and  well  considered  in  its  regulations,  so  universal  in  its  appli- 
cation, and  every  way  so  unexceptional,  should  have  been  so  long  in 
finding  its  way  to  the  knowledge  and  consideration  of  the  people  of  the 
United  States.  This  fact  appears  to  have  been  the  result  of  circum- 
stances rather  than  intention.     While  eminently  a  reading  people,  we 


36  '  THE   RKD   CROSS. 

are  almost  exclusively  confined  to  the  English  language.  The  litera- 
ture of  the  Red  Cross  is  entirely  in  other  languages,  largely  French, 
and  thus  has  failed  to  meet  the  eye  of  the  reading  public. 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  first  convention  was  called  during  our 
war;  no  delegates  were  especially  sent  by  the  United  States,  but  oui 
Minister  Pleni|x>tentiary  to  Switzerland,  acting  as  delegate,  sent  a  copy 
of  the  doings  of  the  convention  to  our  government  for  recognition. 
In  the  midst  of  civil  war  as  we  were  at  the  time  the  subject  was  very 
naturally  and  properly  declined. 

It  was  again  most  fittingly  presented  in  1866  through  Rev.  Dr. 
Henry  W.  Bellows,  and  by  this  eminent  gentleman  and  philanthropist 
a  Society  of  the  Red  Cross  was  actually  formed;  but  for  some  cause  it 
failed,  and  the  convention  was  not  recognized.  The  International 
Committee  became  in  a  manner  discouraged  in  its  efforts  with  the 
United  States,  but  finally  it  was  decided  to  present  it  again  through 
Miss  Clara  Barton,  and  accordingly  the  following  letter  was  addressed 
to  President  Hayes  during  the  first  year  of  his  administration: 

International  Committee  for 

THE  Relief  of  Wounded  Soldiers, 

Geneva,  August  19,  1877. 
To  the  Presidetit  of  the  United  States,  at  Washmgton: 

JIr.  President  :  The  International  Committee  of  the  Red  Cross  desires  most 
earnestly  that  the  United  States  should  be  associated  with  them  in  their  work, 
and  they  take  the  liberty  of  addressing  themselves  to  }-ou,  with  the  hope  that  you 
will  second  their  eCForts.  In  order  that  the  functions  of  the  National  Society  of 
the  Red  Cross  be  faithfully  performed,  it  is  indispensable  that  it  should  have  the 
sympathy  and  protection  of  the  government. 

It  would  be  irrational  to  establish  an  association  upon  the  principles  of  the 
Convention  of  Geneva,  without  the  association  having  the  assurance  that  the  army 
of  its  own  country,  of  which  it  should  be  an  auxiliarj',  would  be  guided,  should 
the  case  occur,  by  the  same  principles.  It  would  consequently  be  useless  for  us  to 
appeal  to  the  people  of  the  country,  inasmuch  as  the  United  States,  as  a  govern- 
ment, has  made  no  declaration  of  adhering  officially  to  the  principles  laid  down  by 
the  convention  of  the  twenty-second  August,  1864. 

Such  is  then,  Mr.  President,  the  principal  object  of  the  present  request.  We 
do  not  doubt  but  this  will  meet  with  a  favorable  reception  from  you,  for  the 
United  States  is  in  advance  of  Europe  upon  the  subject  of  war,  and  the  celebrated 
"  Instructions  of  the  American  Army  "  are  a  monument  which  does  honor  to  the 
United  States. 

You  are  aware,  Mr.  President,  that  the  Government  of  the  United  States  was 
officially  represented  at  the  Convention  of  Geneva,  in  1864,  by  two  delegates,  and 
this  mark  of  approbation  given  to  the  work  vvhicn  was  being  accomplished  was 
then  considered  by  every  one  as  a  precursor  of  a  legal  ratification.     Until  the 


FIRST    LETTER    FROM     M.    GUSTAV    MOYNIER    TO   THE    PRESIDENT   OF   THE    UNITED 
STATES,    URGING  THE   ADOI'TION    OK   THE   TREATY   OF  GENEVA.. 


[Origiual  autograph  translation  by  Clara  Barton.] 


^ar  /fu.  M^(^Jim/^ia/d<Ja/Ucu^. 


ShovtJcl  S^  octoeec/HcL  -an/A^  ynji/??t-  T^t  7njuJ>-  xovy^^  a/}7cl  y/uLA/_ 
^oj^  yhi  Zy-^'/j/  (y^ ac/clu?fc/)->o  /nxATiJ^Socs  to  Vull  tutf/i  //vl 
iiofu  fhcU:  xmu  Mnll.  Sjeecnic^mijio-  tll^f.       J?? co-c/of /^a/ /At, 
^(MieTHnts  of  7nji  JntiuniaA,  o^oc/e/T/  of  //Ll  M^£c/ i^rc/it  utfcu'/rt.— 
'"jIuMu  yw>-^cn-;7fect^  cl'/s  uicl/'s-Ztji^iiaXSL  wcU~M-~ ^r70Tjufcl  ncutj<^ 
Int.  sxnjifiaJn'ir  0y)ioL'f3'rv^e/rem.ofyn£.acriMy?'7-)07ie7i(r,    <Ji-ccmjJu. 
-in.  X/ryaJ2t}f>aJi   /o  es^a^i/'^A.   O/ii  ossoei'ciIZc/ti.  a/io7t  /Aa.^^tAjt^r.i/i£t^ 
af.yfu  W07>a^cn7/urjrofoS')V!AjCL.M^i^auJ.-/nJ    OstocyuJiint,  /ra^tt^y 
^fu  ossuAOAiejL  /j^cU  yfu  (2;b7iT>i  of  cl!  OU/7Z  CorjjtflT^y,  of  ur/^iffi. 
-U'fhauJel  J^CL^  CUJtvf'MoA »/,   unruJc/  Sc  ocuc/jct^  ShcnjJd  /frJ. 


37 


jk yC/f^Aff  fey-  US  'to  a/:>-/3fcLJ  7o  //u. ^^jjoAAt  ^-^  emx/)i7y\r, 

^lo  dxefajyaZttm.  of  QdnAuimcj  ofiA/e/o/'/Y  ^ /%?  ^VLOT>f/y'-?Xet^'u. 
olcwn  Sif  //te  'Soiii^cojfTcni.oj'  /fte.  JLS.^-of  UucutJf'  /96^. 

Of  //u.  Vit  €  t^tZ-Ajouju-/'.      2^-^  do  'iio^'  cioxjJrL-  6rjUr  /A/t  tuiLL  iJiuJb 


tJL. 


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SJuSA/raJJcL    <J-iizlLuttTm-><i  of  uu   (2/?77£^tecL/}z.  G^tt)!/-  ' Cuu  a'^JTcQt— 
aofUAit  ur^t'efx.  cLo^i  ^cmm-  To  /fte.  ^I't/ccL  S^/oUTi . 

ucru  CUB  CUJUCOLt^  <V7l/r.  ^AJ  ! '( C/ey>i L-  TncUr  Tftji.^CTM/tnni'it'nf 
oflfJu  9jbidIcL  S/al[s^  coat  ojY'/e'/Q^A/  AjUs^t^i Ret  oUrffte.  6hijfi/rt^tt^ 
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fjQtr(/n.o(Ar</ii^  7o  7fu  AxrvrH  Ujfiikft.  COOT  o€ju)io  aecajiipff'sfjecL^ojoT 
ifUai  Cjcoij/cUyyeci.  Uir  ev^yyxj  077€.  os  af)7^<uuttcr>  of.  o.  ^^oceJ ooU^-. 
<?a7fc/}i.        oL/)T/(i  TftjLfsr-est^ii-lJonti,  ncAMf^A>4j>\  7n/i  CcmfcrtiiiaTiorx, 

hat  mCti-faKtnx.JofoejL,  amoL  CU<.  W/'nA  InoJ:  /"/f/ifcntnoM/xj,  u/Aief'u 
Uwu/d  hcuuf  mo  oiAjin'  S^cuuuno  mo/tx  To  Jirc/tAjLet  izju-^'efxr,  ifu  oe.~ 

OlLUj) eji/)  1  ejL.  of  UU  %t/!iilTcL  S'Jo/Zs  tnu  Y/ros-e.  /tu/}?7a/nt/ciic<a/}z,  Yi-rnjt'f/tiL, 

'iluxjo  adoivdZicL  6ij  oM.  C/viU^voC  fijuyfiZt^  hoi  onfu  i^e/ii  JudaAoU.oL 


38 


UeCLUAJL  ^'tJt  oe eo sunt  has  '^icrt oj'f-oy^ci  olhlJ .    ^hi.  f-PcJlM 

^•e/rvus  szonyTtrtiey-iTf  uji£jL  .oU/Jitoriinr&^-uuxjL.  Co  foka.  thjt.  ^TeeesiOJiy  *)ntoi. 
•  inji i  C  fujdrCLoi  JLoicJ  Co  a  t'luajCuot.  So  ^Jtcien  to  ue.  Ax C7-eCUoL  . 

1JS>-(  coiAr  (XJCoU.' Scte/t  ^^ood  'Jzecoi ,  d)7>t.  ^^uticU/iiL'  a)z 
ardjLO'  CT-OA^  Yke.  ^cnjU)icLof>o  of  dm  Cl/)-7t.e/>icQjii.  <iS'oc!-tLl\r  vf  yftt. 


ydid'e? 


on 


(A3jl  hcvu^  cchjiodxj  a/n  ClMs.  aofcL  clmrtrOd^  oftttTaovt 

liayncLuyto  u)  "^[Cru  Y/?/s  'fVLesjuiit'AJLO'LLeT/'. 

^J^yUruuJcU  CU  /IMAyy  cCnTco-aAA.  YhoJr /hjuYotc-^^eTjcL 
OTf-i/n>aJ/Mjt    3/7 cruJot  "o-t.  ZjC/nc/ji/y  \rcnxjy  cl/s/f'no-ujtiiJdTaoJTi^ty. 
CUncl  a>^  koftJL  YncxJ-  XfcuL  njiil  ^a/'AjfuAjL  cui  YA/'j  fc 


t'Otruy-. 


1 


'O^/nO  C£A^ 


3Q 


AI'T(m;ka1-H     HNIXIKSKMKNT    HY    PRHSrOKNT    GARFIELD. 


EXECUTIVE    MANSION, 

WASHINGTON 


/^^   ^,    //#/. 


INTKRNATIONAL  CORRESPONDENCE.  41 

present  time,  however,  this  confirmation  has  not  taken  place,  and  we  think  that 
this  formality,  which  would  have  no  other  bearing  than  to  express  publicly  the 
acquiescence  of  the  United  States  in  those  humanitarian  principles  now  admitted 
by  all  civilized  people,  has  only  been  retarded  because  the  occasion  has  not  offered 
itself.  We  flatter  ourselves  with  the  hope  that,  appealing  directly  to  your  generous 
sentiments,  will  determine  you  to  take  the  necessary  measures  to  put  an  end  to  a 
situation  so  much  to  be  regretted.  We  only  wait  such  good  news,  Mr.  President,  in 
order  to  urge  the  founding  of  an  American  Society  of  the  Red  Cross. 

We  havo  already  an  able  and  devoted  assistant  in  Miss  Clara  Barton,  to 
whom  we  confide  the  care  of  handing  to  you  this  present  request. 

It  would  be  very  desirable  that  the  projected  asseveration  should  be  undei 
your  distinguished  patronage,  and  we  hope  that  you  will  not  refuse  us  this  favor. 

Receive,  Mr.  President,  the  assurance  of  our  highest  consideration. 

For  the  International  Committee:  G.  Moynier,  President. 


This  letter  was  sent  to  Miss  Barton,  who,  having  labored  with 
committees  of  the  Red  Cross  during  the  Franco- Prussian  war,  thus 
becoming  familiar  with  its  methods,  was  very  naturally  selected  as  the 
bearer  of  the  letter,  and  the  exponent  of  the  cause.  Moreover,  foreign 
nations  had  secured  her  promise  to  present  it  to  the  government  on  her 
return  to  her  country  and  endeavor  to  make  its  principles  understood 
among  the  people. 

Accordingly  the  letter  was  presented  by  Miss  Barton  to  President 
Hayes  and  by  him  referred  to  his  Secretary  of  State,  but  as  no  action 
was  taken,  and  no  promise  of  any  action  given,  it  was  not  deemed 
advisable  to  proceed  to  the  organization  of  societies  formed  with  special 
reference  to  acting  under  the  regulations  of  a  governmental  treaty  hav- 
ing no  present  existence,  and  no  guaranty  of  any  in  the  future. 

Thus  it  remained  until  the  incoming  of  the  administration  of  Pres- 
ident Garfield  when  a  copy  of  the  letter  of  Mr.  Moynier  was  presented 
by  Miss  Barton  to  President  Garfield,  very  cordially  received  by 
him,  and  endorsed  to  Secretary  Blaine;  from  whom  after  full  consider- 
ation of  the  subject  the  following  letter  was  received: 

Departmknt  ov  St.\tk, 

Washington.  May  20,  /SS/. 
Miss  Clara  Barton,  A)ncrican  Representative  of  the  Red  Cross,  ete.,  Washing- 
ton: 
Dear  Madam:  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  the  letter 
addressed  by  Mr.  Moynier,  President  of  the  Red  Cross  International  Convention, 
to  the  President  of  the  United  States,  bearing  the  date  of  the  nineteenth  .Augu.st, 
1877,  and  referred  by  President  Garfield  on  the  thirtieth  March,  l88l,  to  thia 
department. 


42  THE    RKn    CROSS. 

It  npjK\irs,  from  a  careful  perusal  of  the  letter,  that  Mr.  Moynier  is  anxious 
thai  llii-  government  of  the  United  States  should  join  with  other  goveruments  of 
the  world  in  this  International  Convention. 

Will  you  be  jjleased  to  say  to  Mr.  Moynier,  in  reply  to  his  letter,  that  the 
President  of  the  United  States,  and  the  officers  of  this  government,  are  in  full 
sympathy  with  any  wise  measures  tending  toward  the  amelioration  of  the  suffering 
incident  to  warfare.  The  constitution  of  the  United  States  has,  however,  lodged 
the  entire  war-making  power  in  the  Congress  of  the  United  States;  and,  as  the 
participation  of  the  United  States  in  an  International  Convention  of  this  character 
is  consequent  upon  and  auxiliary  to  the  war-making  power  of  the  nation,  legisla- 
tion by  Congress  is  needful  to  accomplish  the  humane  end  that  your  society  has  in 
view.  It  gives  me,  however,  great  pleasure  to  state  that  I  shall  I)e  happy  to  give 
any  measures  which  you  may  propose  careful  attention  and  consideration,  and 
should  the  President,  as  I  doubt  not  he  will,  approve  of  the  matter,  the  adminis- 
tration will  recommend  to  Congress  the  adoption  of  the  international  treaty  which 
you  desire. 

I  am,  madam,  with  very  great  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

James  G.  Blaine. 

On  the  twenty-fifth  of  June  the  following  letter  from  Mr.  Moynier, 
president  of  the  International  Committee  of  Geneva,  in  reply  to  the 
preceding  letter  of  Secretary  Blaine,  was  received  by  Miss  Barton,  and 
duly  presented  at  the  State  department: 

Geneva,  June  13,  /881. 
To  the  Honorable  Secretary  of  State,  James  G.  Blaine,  Washington: 

Sir:  Miss  Clara  Barton  has  just  communicated  to  me  the  letter  which  she  has 
had  the  honor  to  receive  from  you,  bearing  date  of  May  20,  1881,  and  I  hasten  to 
express  to  you  how  much  satisfaction  I  have  experienced  from  it.  I  do  not  '^oubt 
now,  thanks  to  your  favorable  consideration  and  that  of  President  Garfield,  that 
the  United  States  may  soon  be  counted  among  the  number  of  signers  of  the  Geneva 
Convention,  since  you  have  been  kind  enough  to  allow  me  to  hope  that  the  propo- 
sition for  it  will  be  made  to  Congress  by  the  administration. 

I  thank  you,  as  well  as  President  Garfield,  for  having  been  willing  to  lake  into 
serious  consideration  the  wish  contained  in  my  letter  of  August  19,  1877,  assuredly 
a  very  natural  wish,  since  it  tended  to  unite  your  country  with  a  work  of  humanity 
and  civilization  for  which  it  is  one  of  the  best  qualified. 

Since  my  letter  of  1S77  was  written,  several  new  governmental  adhesions 
have  been  given  to  the  Geneva  Convention,  and  I  think  that  these  precede ats  will 
be  much  more  encouraging  to  the  United  States  from  the  fact  that  they  hr  e  been 
given  by  America.  It  was  under  the  influence  of  events  of  the  recent  war  of  the 
Pacific  that  Bolivia  signed  the  treaty  the  i6th  of  October,  1879,  Chili  on  the  15th 
of  November,  1879,  Argentine  Republic  on  the  25th  of  November,  1879,  and  Pern 
on  the  22d  of  April,  1881.  This  argument  in  favor  of  the  adhesion  of  your  country 
is  the  only  one  I  can  add  to  my  request,  and  to  the  printed  documents  that  Miss 
Barton  has  placed  in  your  hands,  to  aid  your  judgment  and  that  of  Congress. 


IP^I^PI 


SOME  OF  THE   FIRST   MEMBERS   OF  THE   AMERICAN 
NATIONAL   RED   CROSS. 


A    GROUP  OF  AMERICAN  NATIONAL  RED   CROSS   MEMBERS. 


INTERNATIONAL   CORRESPONDENCE.  45 

I  now  await  with  full  confidence  the  final  result  of  your  sympathetic  efforts, 
and  I  beg  you  to  accept,  sir,  the  assurance  of  uiy  high  consideration. 

G.  MOYNiER,  President. 

The  very  cordial  and  frank  expressions  of  sympathy  contained 
in  Secretary  Blaine's  letter  gave  assurance  of  the  acceptance  of  the 
terms  of  the  treaty  by  the  government  at  no  distant  day,  and  war- 
ranted the  formation  of  societies.  Accordingly  a  meeting  was  held  in 
Washington,  D.  C,  May  21,  1881,  which  resulted  in  the  formation 
of  an  association  to  be  known  as  the  American  [National]  Association 
of  the  Red  Cross.    A  constitution  was  adopted,  a  copy  of  which  follows: 


46  THK    RED   CROSS. 


CONSTITUTION. 


NamCy  Location. 

Article  i.  Tliis  Association  shall  be  known  as  the  American  Association 
of  the  Re<i  Cross,  with  its  office  located  at  Washington,  D.  C,  and  shall  consist 
of  the  snhscribers  herennto,  and  such  other  persons  as  shall  hereafter  be  elected 
to  membership  ;  and  it  shall  constitute  a  Central  National  Association  with  power 
to  organize  state  and  territorial  associations  auxiliary  to  itself. 

Objects  of  Association. 

Art.  2.     The  objects  of  the  National  Association  are, 

First,  To  secure  the  adoption  by  the  Government  of  the  United  States  of  the 
Treaty  of  August  22,  1864. 

Second,  To  obtain  recognition  by  the  Government  of  the  United  States,  and 
to  hold  itself  in  readiness  for  communicating  therewith  at  all  times,  to  the  end 
that  its  purposes  may  be  more  widely  and  eflfectually  carried  out. 

Third,  To  organize  a  system  of  national  relief  and  apply  the  same  in 
mitigating  the  sufferings  caused  by  war,  pestilence,  famine  and  other  calamities. 

Fourth,  To  collect  and  diffuse  information  touching  the  progress  of  mercy, 
the  organization  of  national  relief,  the  advancement  of  sanitarj-  science  and 
hospital  service,  and  their  application. 

Fifth,  To  co-operate  with  all  other  national  societies,  for  the  furtherance  of 
the  articles  herein  set  forth,  in  such  ways  as  are  provided  by  the  regulations 
governing  such  co-operation. 

Duties. 

Art.  3.  This  association  shall  hold  itself  in  readiness  in  the  event  of  war  or 
any  calamity  great  enough  to  be  considered  national,  to  inaugurate  such  practical 
measures,  in  mitigation  of  the  suffering  and  for  the  protection  and  relief  of  sick 
and  wounded,  as  may  be  consistent  with  the  objects  of  the  association  as  indicated 
in  Article  2. 

Officers. 

Art.  4.  The  officers  of  this  association  shall  consist  of  a  president ;  first  vice- 
president  ;  other  vice-presidents,  not  to  exceed  one  from  each  State,  Territor}-,  and 
the  District  of  Columbia  ;  a  secretan- ;  treasurer  ;  an  executive  board  ;  a  board  for 
consultation,  which  shall  consist  of  ihe  following  officers  of  the  United  States 
Government,  viz:  The  President  and  his  cabinet  :  General  of  the  Army  ;  Surgeon 
General;  Adjutant  General,  and  Judge  Advocate  General,  and  such  other  officers 
as  may  hereafter  be  deemed  necessary. 


THE  AMERICAN  ASSOCIATION.  47 


THE  AMERICAN  ASSOCIATION  OF  THE  RED  CROSS. 


Original  Incorporation. 

The  undersigned,  all  of  whom  are  citizens  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
and  a  majority  of  whom  are  citizens  of  the  District  of  Coluuil>ia,  desirous  of  form- 
ing an  association  for  benevolent  and  charitable  i)urj)oses  to  co-oi)erate  with  tht 
Comity  International  de  Secours  aux  Militaires  Hless^s  of  Geneva,  Swit/.crlainl,  do, 
in  pursuance  of  sections  545,  546,  547,  548,  549,  550  and  551  of  the  Revised  SUitutes 
of  the  United  States,  relating  to  the  District  of  Columbia,  make,  sign  and  acknowl- 
edge these: 

Articles  ok  Incorporation. 
I. 
The  name  of  this  association  shall  be  the  American  Association  of  the  Red 


2. 

The  term  of  its  existence  shall  be  for  twenty  (20)  years. 


The  objects  of  this  association  shall  be: 

1st.  To  secure  by  the  United  States  the  adoption  of  the  treaty  of  August  22, 
1864,  between  Italy,  Baden,  Belgium,  Denmark,  Holland,  Spain,  Portugal,  France, 
Prussia,  Saxony,  Wurtemberg,  and  the  Federal  Council  of  Switzerland. 

2d.  To  obtain  recognition  by  the  Government  of  the  United  States,  and  to 
hold  itself  in  readiness  for  communicating  therewith  at  all  times,  to  the  end  that 
its  purposes  may  be  more  wisely  and  effectually  carried  out. 

3d.  To  organize  a  system  of  national  relief  and  apply  the  same  in  mitigating 
the  sufferings  caused  by  war,  pestilence,  famine  and  other  calamities. 

4th.  To  collect  and  diffuse  information  touching  the  progress  of  mercy,  the 
organization  of  national  relief,  the  advancement  of  sanitary  science,  and  their 
application. 

5th.  To  co-operate  with  all  other  similar  national  societies  for  the  furtherance 
of  the  articles  herein  set  forth,  in  such  ways  as  are  provided  by  the  regulation? 
governing  such  co-operation. 

4. 

The  number  of  this  association,  to  be  styled  the  "  Executive  Board,"  for  tht 
first  year  of  its  existence,  shall  be  eleven  (11). 

In  witness  whereof  we  have  hereunto  set  our  hands  and  seals  at  the  city  of 
Washington  this  first  day  of  July,  A.  D.  1881. 


THE   RED   CROSS. 


THE  FIRST  INTHRNATIONAL  CONFERENCE. 

Tht  proceedings  of  this  Conference  and  what  led  up  to  it  we  learn  chiefly  from 
the  historical  report  of  the  Conference  by  Mr.  Gustav  Moynier  and  Dr. 
Louis  Appia,  of  the  International  Committee  of  the  Red  Cross.  It  ivas  the 
U'ork  of  this  Conference  that  laid  the  foundation  for  the  Treaty  of  Geneva, 
adopted  in  the  folloiving  year. 

In  the  year  1864,  Europe  was  covered,  as  if  by  enchantment, 
with  a  network  of  committees  for  the  relief  of  wounded  soldiers;  and 
this  plienomenon  would  have  led  the  least  discerning  persons  to  suspect 
that  this  special  work  was  entering  on  a  new  phase.  Several  of  these 
committees  had  already  begun  to  exercise  their  functions  in  the  Schles- 
wig-Holstein  war,  yet  all  unanimously  proclaimed  that  they  would 
constitute  themselves  as  permanent  institutions,  and,  in  a  great  measure, 
they  seemed  to  obey  one  watch-word.  All,  in  fact,  declared  in  their 
charter  of  establishment,  that  they  would  conform  to  the  resolutions 
of  the  Geneva  Conference. 

What,  then,  was  this  conference,  whose  magic  wand  had,  so  to 
speak,  electrified  all  nations?  It  seems  too  important  an  historical  fact 
to  be  passed  over  in  silence,  because  we  feel  certain  that  an  inquiry  into 
its  nature,  and  how  it  arose,  will  prove  highly  interesting. 

I.  It  originated  with  the  Societe  Genevoise  d'utilite  publique,  which 
had  undertaken  to  contribute  toward  the  progress  of  philanthropy. 
At  its  sitting  of  the  ninth  of  February,  1863,  it  discussed  the  question, 
in  accordance  with  the  proposition  of  one  of  its  members,  M.  Henri 
Dunant,  whether  means  might  not  be  found  to  form,  during  a  time  of 
peace  and  tranquillity,  relief  societies,  whose  aim  should  be  to  help  the 
wounded  in  time  of  war  by  means  of  volunteers,  zealous,  devoted  and 
well  qualified  for  such  work. 

Although  it  had  no  very  clear  idea  of  what  should  be  done,  in  order 
to  obtain  the  result  which  seemed  desirable,  the  society  took  the  matter 
under  its  patronage,  and  entrusted  the  examination  of  it  to  a  special 
commission,  with  full  power  to  act. 

The  course  to  be  pursued  was  long  debated  in  this  little  com- 
mittee, the  members  of  which  finally  agreed  to  submit  the  question  to 
more  competent  judges.  It  was,  in  fact,  necessary,  before  encouraging 
the  formation  of  societies  of  volunteers,  to  know  whether  any  need  for 
them  had  been  felt,  and  whether  they  would  not  be  regarded  with  a 


FIRST    INTERNATIONAL   COXI'I:ri<:NCK.  49 

jealous  eye  bj^  the  administrative  or  military  authorities.  It  was  also 
necessary  to  determine  what  should  be  the  nature  of  their  action  under 
various  social  and  political  forms  of  government.  In  order  not  to 
venture  recklessly  on  a  road  bristling  with  obstacles,  it  was  therefore 
evident  that  they  ought  to  take  as  guides  experienced  men,  versed  in 
the  practice  of  war,  and  belonging  to  different  nationalities.  An  Inter- 
national Conference  appeared  to  be  indispensable  to  tire  work,  as  a  basis 
or  starting  point.  If,  after  this  ordeal,  the  first  idea,  upon  which  the 
most  divergent  opinions  were  even  then  professed,  should  be  recognized 
as  impracticable,  its  partisans  would  at  least  possess  the  consolation  of 
having  done  their  best.  We  shall  have,  said  one  of  them,  the  approval 
of  our  consciences,  and  the  feeling  that  we  have  done  that  which  it  is 
right  men  should  do  who  love  their  neighbor.  If,  on  the  contrary,  the 
thing  were  pronounced  to  be  good,  useful  and  acceptal^le,  what  encour- 
agement such  a  decision  would  afford  them  to  launch  out  upon  their 
course  !  What  moral  force  they  who  should  first  put  themselves 
in  the  breach  would  receive  !  It  was  not  a  time  to  hesitate.  The 
circular  convoking  the  meeting  was  issued  on  the  first  of  September, 
1863. 

Nothing  was  neglected  that  could  give  the  greatest  publicity  to 
this  appeal.  It  was  brought  specially  to  the  notice  of  the  International 
Statistical  Congress,  sitting  at  Berlin,  in  the  month  of  September,  1863, 
which  expressed  an  opinion  entirely  favorable  to  the  project. 

At  length  the  day  fixed  for  the  opening  of  the  Conference  arrived. 
On  the  morning  of  the  twenty-sixth  of  October,  in  the  rooms  of  the 
Athenaeum  at  Geneva,  might  be  seen  an  assembly  composed  of  eighteen 
official  delegates,  representing  fourteen  governments,  six  delegates  of 
different  associations,  seven  unaccredited  visitors,  with  five  members 
of  the  Geneva  Committee.  It  was  sufficient  to  glance  over  the  list  of 
the  thirty-six  members  of  the  Conference,  to  understand  that  the  expecta- 
tion of  its  promoters  was  attained,  and  even  surpassed,  and  that  their 
initiative  had  already  found  its  reward  in  the  meeting  of  such  a  body. 
It  was  impossible  that  a  deliberation  among  men  so  eminently  qualified 
should  not  throw  the  fullest  light  on  the  question  submitted  to  them. 
The  committee  tells  us  that  the  eagerness  with  which  the  invitation 
was  responded  to  soon  justified  the  propriety  of  the  step  it  had  taken. 
It  became  convinced  that,  in  drawing  public  attention  to  the  insuffi- 
ciency of  the  official  sanitary  service,  it  had  touched  a  sensitive  chord, 
and  had  responded  to  a  universal  wish.  It  was  also  convinced  that  it 
was  not  pursuing  a  chimerical  object.      If,  for  a  moment,  it  had  feared 


50  THE   RED   CROSS. 

that  its  project  would  only  attract  mere  dreamers  and  Utopians,  it  was 
reassured  on  seeing  that  it  had  to  deal  with  men  in  earnest,  with  medi- 
cal and  military  magnates.  It  also  received  much  encouragement  from 
persons  who  were  prevented  from  taking  part  in  the  debates,  but  who 
testified  to  the  lively  interest  they  took  in  them. 

It  was  then,  with  the  most  happy  auspices  that  General  Dufour 
opened  the  Conference,  which  lasted  four  days,  under  the  presidency 
of  M.  Moynier,  president  of  the  Genevoise  Society  of  Public  Utility, 
and  the  vice-presidency  of  His  Highness  Prince  Henry  XIII.,  of  Reuss, 
the  delegate  of  the  Order  of  St.  John  of  Jerusalem.  Every  one  seemed 
animated  by  the  best  motives,  and  desirous  not  to  lose  so  good  an 
opportunity  to  open  a  new  arena  for  the  cause  of  charity.  It  was  inter- 
esting to  witness  the  general  unanimity,  as  new  as  it  was  spontaneous, 
on  a  question  of  humanit}^  instantaneously  developed  into  one  of  philan- 
thropic urgency.  Dr.  Landa,  delegate  of  the  Spanish  Government, 
well  expressed  the  sentiment  of  the  assembly  when  he  exclaimed,  ' '  Oh, 
that  we  may  be  so  happy  as  to  discover  the  basis  which  shall  render  the 
the  useful  institution  we  aspire  to  found  durable  and  effectual !  "  The. 
magnitude  of  the  result  which  may  be  obtained,  and  the  tears  which 
may  be  wiped  away,  demand  that  we  should  devote  all  our  efforts  to 
attain  it;  and  if  this  work  be  realized,  it  will  be  an  event  which  all 
friends  of  humanity  will  be  able  to  hail  with  the  greatest  joy.  We 
feel,  said  the  president  of  the  Conference,  that  a  great  duty  is  imposed 
upon  us,  and  we  shall  not  rest  until  we  have  found  means  to  lessen  for 
our  fellow-creatures  the  privations,  the  sufferings  and  the  evils  of  all 
kinds  which  are  the  inevitable  consequences  of  an  armed  contest. 

So  much  good-will  was  not  superfluous,  in  order  to  accomplish 
the  arduous  task  of  the  Conference.  For  what,  indeed,  w^as  it  laboring  ? 
For  nothing  less  than  to  reconcile  two  opposites — charity  and  war. 
The  propriety  of  voluntary  aid  being  admitted,  it  was  necessary  to 
leave  it  sufficiently  free,  in  order  that  zeal  might  not  be  cooled  by 
unreasonable  conditions;  yet,  at  the  same  time,  to  subject  it  to  a  certain 
discipline,  so  that  it  might  have  access  to  the  army  without  being  an 
encumbrance  to  it.  Here  was  the  real  problem  to  be  solved.  Here 
was  a  link  to  be  established  between  the  civil  and  the  military,  which, 
though  opposed,  are  not  necessarily  incompatible,  and  should  be 
encouraged  to  live  fraternally  side  by  side.  The  experience  of  modern 
wars  seemed  to  justify  this  inquiry,  for  it  was  averred  that  here  the 
administration  of  voluntary  offerings  had  been  defective.  Besides, 
the  question  presented  itself  in  a  new  character,  owing  to  the  fact  that 


FIRST  INTERNATIONAL  CONFERENCE.  51 

a  staff  of  volunteers  occupied  an  important  place  in  it.  If  this  view  of 
the  case  was  to  take  precedence  of  all  others,  nothing  less  than  a  com- 
plete revolution  was  intended,  and  its  importance  being  acknowledged, 
it  would  have  been  wrong  to  engage  in  it  otherwise  than  earnestly.  It 
was  for  discussion  to  reveal  the  opinion  that  was  entertained  of  it. 

Independently  of  all  that  was  difficult  in  the  very  nature  of  the 
subject  with  which  the  conference  was  to  occupy  itself,  it  met  with 
another  obstacle,  in  the  consideration  which  it  was  obliged  to  give  to 
the  different  forms  of  government  under  which  civilized  nations  dwell. 

It  is  certain  that  a  relief  committee  would  be  bound  to  modify 
its  conduct,  and  its  hands  would  be  more  or  less  free,  according  to  the 
political  or  social  circle  in  which  it  would  have  its  existence.  For 
example,  where  individual  initiative  is  highly  developed,  as  in  Switzer- 
land and  America,  there  will  be  found  liberty  for  the  efforts  of  free 
societies  which  would  not  be  tolerated  to  the  same  degree  in  France  or 
Austria.  The  consequence  of  this  situation  was,  that,  called  to  draw 
up  a  code  of  military  philanthropy  for  the  use  of  all  nations,  the 
Conference  could  only  advocate  general  principles,  so  that  its  decisions 
might  be  everywhere  acceptable. 

Here  it  took  its  stand,  and  following  the  advice  of  its  president, 
it  left  to  each  society  the  duty  of  regulating  minute  details  as  it  might 
judge  expedient.  It  wisel}^  confined  its  ambition  to  the  construction 
of  a  solid  foundation  for  the  monument  which  it  wished  to  erect,  and 
which  was  perhaps  destined  to  become  one  of  the  glories  of  our 
century. 

Let  us  now  give  heed  to  the  voice  of  the  Conference,  and  let  us 
cast  our  eyes  over  the  resolutions,  placed  side  by  side  with  the  propo- 
sitions presented  by  the  Geneva  Committee,  under  the  title  of  Projct  de 
Concordat.  It  is  evident,  indeed,  from  a  comparison  of  the.se  two  docu- 
ments that  the  first  ideas  were  true,  since  they  have  only  been  slightly 
modified.  The  authors  of  this  project,  however,  offer  it  as  the 
eminently  perfectible  fruit  of  their  first  meditations,  and  as  a  basis 
which  they  deemed  it  right  to  furnish  to  the  Conference,  in  order  to 
guide  it  in  its  labors. 

Generai.  Provisions. 

Article  i.  There  shall  be,  in  each  of  the  contracting  countries,  a  national 
committee,  whose  duty  shall  consist  in  remedying,  by  all  the  means  in  its  jx)wer, 
the  inadequacy  of  the  official  sanitarj-  service  of  the  armies  in  active  service. 

This  committee  shall  organize  itself  in  the  manner  which  may  appear  to  it  the 
most  useful  and  expedient. 


52  THE  RED  CROSS. 

Art.  2.  Sections,  unlimited  in  number,  shall  be  founded,  in  order  to  second 
the  national  cotnniittee.  These  shall  be  necessarily  subordinate  to  the  committee, 
to  which  alone  shall  belong  the  supreme  direction. 

Art.  3.  Every  national  committee  shall  place  itself  in  communication  with 
the  government  of  its  own  country,  and  shall  ascertain  that  its  efforts  of  service 
will  l)e  accepted  in  case  of  war. 

Art.  4.  Ill  time  of  peace,  the  committees  and  their  sections  shall  occupy 
themselves  with  iinprovements  to  be  introduced  in  the  militar}'  sanitary  service,  in 
the  establishment  of  ambulances  and  hospitals,  in  the  means  of  transports  for  the 
wounded,  etc.,  and  in  pursuing  the  realization  of  these  objects. 

Art.  5.  The  committees  and  sections  of  the  different  countries  shall  reassemble 
in  international  congresses,  in  order  to  communicate  the  result  of  their  experience, 
and  to  concert  together  on  the  measures  to  be  taken  in  the  interests  of  the  work. 

Art.  6.  In  the  month  of  January  every  year,  the  national  committees  shall 
present  a  report  of  their  labors  during  the  past  year,  adding  to  it  such  communica- 
tions as  they  may  consider  useful  to  be  brought  to  the  knowledge  of  the  committees 
of  other  countries.  The  exchange  of  these  communications  and  reports  shall  be 
managed  through  the  medium  of  the  Geneva  committee,  to  whom  they  shall  be 
addressed. 

Speciai.  Provisions  in  Case  of  War. 

Art.  7.  In  case  of  war,  the  committees  of  the  belligerent  nations  shall  furnish 
the  necessary  aid  to  their  respective  armies,  and,  in  particular,  shall  provide  for 
the  formation  and  organization  of  corps  of  volunteer  nurses. 

They  shall  solicit  the  support  of  the  committees  belonging  to  neutral  nations. 

Art.  8.  The  volunteer  nurses  shall  bind  themselves  to  serve  during  a  limited 
time,  and  not  in  any  way  to  meddle  in  the  operations  of  the  war. 

They  shall  be  employed,  according  to  their  wish,  in  field  service  or  in  that  of 
the  hospitals.     Females  will  necessarily  be  assigned  to  the  latter. 

Art.  9.  The  volunteer  nurses  shall  wear  a  uniform  in  all  countries,  or  an 
identical  distinctive  badge.  Their  person  shall  be  sacred,  and  military  chiefs  shall 
afford  them  protection. 

At  the  commencement  of  a  campaign,  the  soldiers  of  both  armies  shall  be 
informed  of  the  existence  of  these  corps,  and  of  their  exclusively  benevolent  char- 
acter. 

Resolutions  of  the  Conference. 

The  International  Conference,  desirous  to  give  aid  to  the  wounded  soldiers  in 
all  cases  where  the  military  medical  service  shall  be  inadequate,  has  adopted  the 
following  resolutions: 

Article  i.  There  shall  be  in  every  country  a  committee  whose  duty  it  will  be 
to  co-operate  in  time  of  war  by  all  the  means  in  its  power,  with  the  sanitary  ser- 
vice of  the  army. 

This  committee  shall  organize  itself  in  the  manner  which  may  appear  to  it  as 
the  most  useful  and  expedient. 

Art.  2.  Sections,  unlimited  in  number,  shall  be  formed,  in  order  to  second  the 
committee,  to  which  the  general  direction  will  belong. 


FIRST   INTERNATIONAL  CONFERENCE.  53 

Art.  3.  Every  committee  shall  place  itself  in  communication  with  the  govern- 
ment of  its  ovpn  country,  in  order  that  its  offers  of  assistance,  in  case  of  need, 
may  be  accepted. 

Art.  4.  In  time  of  peace  the  committees  and  sections  shall  be  occupied  with 
the  means  to  make  themselves  really  useful  in  time  of  war,  especially  in  preparing 
material  aid  of  every  kind,  and  in  endeavoring  to  train  and  instruct  volunteer 
nurses. 

Art.  5.  In  the  event  of  war,  tlie  committees  of  the  belligerent  nations  shall 
furnish  relief  to  their  respective  armies  in  proportion  to  their  resources;  in  partic- 
ular, they  shall  organize  and  place  the  volunteer  nurses  on  an  active  footing,  and, 
in  conjunction  with  the  military  authority,  they  shall  arrange  places  for  the  recep- 
tion of  the  wounded. 

They  shall  solicil  the  assistance  of  the  committees  belonging  to  neutral 
nations. 

Art.  6.  On  the  demand,  or  with  the  concurrence,  of  the  military  authority, 
the  committees  shall  send  volunteer  nurses  to  the  field  of  battle.  They  shall  there 
place  them  under  the  direction  of  tl:e  military  chiefs. 

Art.  7.  The  volunteer  nurses  employed  with  armies  shall  be  provided,  by 
their  respective  committees,  with  everything  necessary  for  their  maintenance. 

Art.  8.  They  shall  wear,  in  all  countries,  a  white  baad  around  the  arm  with 
a  Red  Cross  upon  it,  as  a  distinctive  and  uniform  badge. 

Art.  9.  The  committees  and  sections  of  the  different  countries  shall  meet  in 
International  Conference,  in  order  to  communicate  to  each  other  the  results  of 
their  experience,  and  to  decide  on  the  measures  to  be  adopted  for  the  advance- 
ment of  the  work. 

Art.  10.  The  exchange  of  communications  between  the  commmitees  of  the 
different  nations  shall  be  made  provisionally  through  the  medium  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  Geneva. 

Independently  of  the  above  resolutions,  the  Conference  expressed  the  follow- 
ing wishes  : 

A.  That  the  governments  should  grant  protection  to  the  national  committees 
which  may  be  formed,  and  should,  as  far  as  possible,  facilitate  the  accomplishment 
of  their  task. 

B.  That,  in  time  of  war,  neutrality  should  be  proclaimed  by  the  belligerent 
nations  for  the  field  and  stationary  hospitals,  and  that  it  may  also  be  accorded,  in 
the  most  complete  manner,  to  all  officials  employed  in  .sanitary  work,  to  volunteer 
nurses,  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  country  who  shall  assist  the  wounded,  and  to  the 
wounded  themselves. 

That  an  incidental  di.stinctive  sign  be  adopted  for  the  medical  corps  of  all 
armies,  or,  at  least,  for  all  persons  attached  to  this  service  in  the  same  army. 

That  an  identical  flag  be  also  adopted  for  the  field  and  stationary  hospital.-;  of 
all  armies. 

The  innovation  which  is  most  striking,  in  reading  these  documents,  is  the 
pre-existence  of  the  committees  for  war,  and  their  creation  ami  maintenance  in 
times  of  peace. 

If  those  societies  which  have  hitherto  labored  had  only  conformed  to  this 
arrangement,  they  would  have  been  spared  nmch  trouble,  and  would  have  been 
able  to  give  to  their  resources  a  more  judicious  direction.     If  each  of  them  had 


54 


THE    RICH    CROSS. 


been  enlightened  by  the  experience  of  its  prcdecessuis  ;  if  each  had  known  before 
hand  that  wliich  it  would  have  to  do  in  such  and  such  an  emergency  ;  if  it  had 
anticipated  obstacles  in  order  to  remove  them  ;  and  if  it  had  been  provided  with 
money  and  material,  it  would  have  been  able  to  render  nmch  greater  services,  and 
would  not,  to  the  siime  extent,  have  been  a  victim  either  to  its  inexperience  or  to 
its  precipitation.  The  preliminary  study  of  ways  and  means  would  have  left  traces 
of  something  more  systematic  and  would  have  prevented  much  waste  and  many 
false  calculations.  Voluntary  action  will  be  so  much  more  efficacious  when  it  shall 
have  preorganized.  At  a  meeting  of  the  different  German  relief  committees  held 
at  Berlin,  on  the  tenth  of  July,  1864,  Raron  Tinti,  of  Vienna,  strongly  insisted  on 
this  truth,  and  the  Committee  of  Schwerin  did  the  same  in  its  report  of  1S65. 
When  our  generosity  shall  be  less  ignorant,  it  will  know  where  and  in  what  way 
it  can  be  useful  ;  we  shall  economize  our  means  ;  we  shall  multiply  our  gifts  by  the 
good  employment  that  we  shall  make  of  them,  and  by  the  direction  that  will  be 
given  to  the  public  desire.  Bis  dat,  qui  cito  dat.  He  who  gives  opportunely  gives 
twice. 


A   GROUP  OF  AMERICAN    NATIONAL   RED   CROSS   MEMBER& 


INTERNATIONA!.    RED   CRO.SS   TREATY.  57 


THE    INTERNATIONAL   RED    CROSS    TREATY. 

CONVKNTION    OF    GKNKVA. 

For  Ihc  Amelioration  oj  the  Condttion  of  the  Wounded  in  Arinits  al  the  Field, 
August  22,  1864. 

The  sovereigns  of  the  followinj^  countries,  to  wit :  Baden,  Belgium,  Denmark, 
Holland,  Spain,  Portugal,  France,  Prussia,  Saxony,  Wiirtemberg,  and  the  Federal 
Council  of  Switzerland,  animated  by  a  common  desire  of  mitigating,  as  far  as  in 
their  power,  the  evils  inseparable  from  war,  of  suppressing  needless  severities  and 
of  ameliorating  the  condition  of  soldiers  wounded  on  fields  of  battle,  having 
concluded  to  determine  a  treaty  for  this  purpose,  these  plenipotentiaries,  after  the 
due  interchange  of  their  powers,  found  to  be  in  good  and  proper  form,  havo  agreed 
upon  the  following  articles,  to  wit  : 

Article  i.  Ambulances  (field  hospitals)  and  military  hospitals  shall  be 
acknowledged  to  be  neutral,  and  as  such  shall  be  protected  and  respected  by 
belligerents,  so  long  as  any  sick  or  wounded  may  be  therein.  Such  neutrality 
shall  cease,  if  the  ambulances  or  hospitals  should  be  held  by  a  military  force. 

Art.  2.  Persons  employed  in  hospitals  and  ambulances,  comprising  the  staff 
for  superintendence,  medical  service,  administration,  transport  of  wounded,  as 
well  as  chaplains,  shall  participate  in  the  benefit  of  neutrality  whilst  so  employed, 
ami  so  long  as  there  remain  any  to  bring  in  or  to  succor. 

Art.  3.  The  persons  designated  in  the  preceding  article  may,  even  after  occu- 
pation by  the  enemy,  continue  to  fulfill  their  duties  in  the  hospital  or  ambulance 
which  they  may  have,  or  may  withdraw  in  order  to  regain  the  corps  to  which  they 
belong.  Under  such  circumstances,  when  the  persons  shall  cease  from  their  func 
tions,  they  shall  be  delivered  by  the  occupying  army  to  the  outpo.stsof  the  enemy. 
They  shall  have  specially  the  right  of  sending  a  representative  to  the  headquarters 
of  their  respective  armies. 

Art.  4.  As  the  equipment  of  military  hospitals  remains  subject  to  the  laws 
of  war,  persons  attached  to  such  hospitals  cannot,  on  withdrawing,  carry  away  any 
articles  but  such  as  are  their  private  properly.  Under  the  same  circumstances  an 
ambulance  shall,  on  the  contrary,  retain  its  equipment. 

Art.  5.  Inhabitants  of  the  country  who  may  bring  help  to  the  wounded  shall 
be  respected  and  shall  remain  free.  The  generals  of  the  belligerent  powers  shall 
m.-ike  it  their  care  to  inform  the  inhabitants  of  the  appeal  addressed  to  their 
humanity,  and  of  the  neutrality  which  will  be  the  consequence  of  it.  Any 
w(ninded  man  entertained  and  taken  care  of  in  a  house  shall  be  considered  as  a 
protection  thereto.  Any  inhabitant  who  shall  have  entertained  wounded  men  in 
his  house  shall  be  exempted  from  the  quartering  of  troops,  as  well  as  from  a  part 
of  the  contributions  of  war  which  may  be  imposed. 

Art.  6.  Wounded  or  sick  soldiers  shall  be  entertained  and  taken  care  of,  to 
whatever  nation  they  may  belong.  Commanders-in-chief  shall  have  the  power  to 
deliver  immediately  to  the  outposts  of  the  enemy,  soldiers  who  have  been  wounded 


58  THE    RED   CROSS. 

iu  an  engagement,  when  circumstances  permit  this  to  be  done,  and  with  the  cob- 
sent  of  lx)th  parties.  Those  who  are  recognized  after  they  are  healed  as  incapable 
of  serving,  shall  be  sent  back  to  their  country.  The  others  may  also  be  sent  back 
on  the  condition  of  not  again  bearing  arms  during  the  continuance  of  the  war. 
Evacuations,  together  with  the  persons  under  whose  directions  they  take  place, 
shall  \ie  protected  by  an  absolute  neutrality. 

Art.  7.  A  distinctive  and  uniform  flag  shall  be  adopted  for  hospitals,  ambu- 
lances, and  evacuations.  It  must  on  every  occasion  be  accompanied  by  the 
national  flag.  An  arm  badge  (brassard)  shall  also  be  allowed  for  individuals 
neutralized,  but  the  delivery  thereof  shall  be  left  to  military  authority.  The  flag 
and  arm  badge  shall  bear  a  red  cross  on  a  white  ground. 

Art.  8.  The  details  of  execution  of  the  present  convention  shall  be  regulated 
by  the  commanders-in-chief  of  belligerent  armies,  according  to  the  instructions  of 
their  respective  governments,  and  in  conformity  with  the  general  principles  laid 
down  in  this  convention. 

Art.  9.  The  high  contracting  powers  have  agreed  to  communicate  the  present 
convention  to  those  governments  which  have  not  found  it  convenient  to  send  pleni- 
potentiaries to  the  International  Convention  at  Geneva,  with  an  invitation  to 
accede  thereto;  the  protocol  is,  for  that  purpose,  left  open. 

Art.  id.  The  present  convention  shall  be  ratified  and  the  ratification  shall  be 
exchanged  at  Berne,  in  four  months,  or  sooner,  if  possible. 

In  witness  thereof  the  respective  plenipotentiaries  have  signed  the  same,  and 
have  affixed  thereto  the  seal  of  their  arms. 

Done  at  Geneva,  the  twenty-third  day  of  August,  1864. 


GOVERNMENTS  ADOPTING  THE  TREATY. 


List  in  chronological  order  of  the  governments  which  have  adopted 
the  articles  of  the  Convention  of  Geneva,  of  the  twenty-second  of 
August,  1864: 

France September  22,  1864. 

Switzerland October         i,  1864. 

Belgium October       14,  1864. 

Netherlands November  29,  1864. 

Italy December     4,  1864. 

Sweden  and  Norway December  13,  1864. 

Denmark December   15,  1864. 

Spain December  15,  1864. 

Baden December  16,  1864. 

Greece January       17,  1865. 

Great  Britain    , February    18,  1865. 


GOVERNMENTS   ADOPTING   TREATY.  59 

Mecklenburg-Schweriii March  9,  1865. 

Prussia June  22,  1865. 

Turkey July  5,  1865. 

Wiirtemberg June  2,  1866. 

Hesse  Darmstadt June  22,  1866. 

Bavaria June  30,  1866. 

Austria July  21,  1866. 

Portugal August  9,  1866. 

Saxony October       25,  1866. 

Russia May  22,  1867, 

Pontifical  States May  9,  1868. 

Rouraania November  30,  1874. 

Persia     . December     5,  1874. 

San  Salvador December  30,  1874. 

Montenegro November  29,  1875. 

Servia March         24,  1876. 

Bolivia October       16,  1879. 

Chili .    .  November  15,  1879. 

Argentine  Republic November  25,  1879. 

Peru April  22,  1880. 

United  States March  i,  1882. 

Bulgaria March  i,  1884. 

Japan June  5,  1886. 

Luxemburg October        5,  1888. 

Hungarj''    ..........  

Congo  Free  State December  27,  1888. 

Venezuela      1894. 

Siam June  29,  1895. 

South  African  Republic      September  30,  1896. 

Honduras May  16,  1898 

Nicaragua May  j6,  189^ 


6o  THR    RKD   CROSS. 

The  following  public  address,  written  in  1881,  is  inserted  because 
of  its  historical  character,  showing  as  it  does,  quite  as  well  as  anything 
that  could  now  be  written,  the  general  apathy  in  America  concerning 
the  treaty,  and  the  many  obstacles  that  had  to  be  overcome  by  years 
of  struggle  and  weary  waiting  : 


ADDRESS  BY  CLARA  BARTON. 


To  the  President,  Congress,  and  People  of  the  Ujiiled  States: 

A  brief  statement  of  how  I  became  acquainted  with  the  Red 
Cross  may  serve  to  explain  at  once  its  principles  and  methods,  as 
well  as  the  present  attitude  of  our  government  in  regard  to  it. 

The  practical  beneficence  of  the  sanitary  and  christian  commis- 
sions of  the  United  States  attracted  the  attention  of  the  civilized  world. 
I  had  borne  some  part  in  the  operations  of  field  hospitals  in  actual 
service  in  the  battles  of  the  Civil  War,  and  some  public  notice  had  been 
taken  of  that  work.  But,  broken  in  health,  I  was  directed  by  my 
physicians  to  go  to  Europe  prepared  to  remain  three  years. 

In  September,  1869,  I  arrived  at  Geneva,  Switzerland.  In 
October  I  was  visited  by  the  president  and  members  of  the  "  Inter- 
national Committee  for  the  relief  of  the  wounded  in  war."  They 
wished  to  learn  if  possible  why  the  United  States  had  declined  to  sign 
the  treaty.  Our  position  was  incomprehensible  to  them.  If  the 
treaty  had  originated  with  a  monarchial  government  they  could  see 
some  ground  for  hesitancy.  But  it  originated  in  a  Republic  older  than 
our  own.  To  what  did  America  object,  and  how  could  these  objections 
be  overcome?  They  had  twice  formally  presented  it  to  the  government 
at  Washington,  once  in  1864,  through  our  Minister  Plenipotentiary  at 
Berne,  who  was  present  at  the  convention;  again  in  1868,  through 
Rev.  Dr.  Henry  W.  Bellows,  the  great  head  of  war  relief  in  America. 
They  had  failed  in  both  instances.  No  satisfactory  nor  adequate 
reason  had  ever  been  given  by  the  nation  for  the  course  pursued. 
They  had  thought  the  people  of  America,  with  their  grand  sanitary 
record,  would  be  the  first  to  appreciate  and  accept  it.  I  listened  in 
silent  wonder  to  all  this  recital,  and  when  I  did  reply  it  was  to  say  that 
I  had  never  in  America  heard  of  the  Convention  of  Geneva  nor  of  the 


ADDRESS.  61 

treaty,  and  was  sure  that  as  a  country  America  did  not  know  she  had 
declined;  that  she  would  be  the  last  to  withhold  recognition  of  a 
humane  movement ;  that  it  had  doubtless  been  referred  to  and  declined 
by  some  one  department  of  the  government,  or  some  one  official,  and 
had  never  been  submitted  to  the  people;  and  as  its  literature  was  in 
languages  foreign  to  our  English-speaking  population,  it  had  no  way 
of  reaching  us. 

You  will  naturally  infer  that  I  examined  it.  I  became  all  the 
time  more  deeply  impressed  with  the  wisdom  of  its  principles,  the  good 
practical  sense  of  its  details,  and  its  extreme  usefulness  in  practice. 
Humane  intelligence  had  devised  its  provisions  and  peculiarly  adapted 
it  to  win  popular  favor.  The  absurdity  of  our  own  position  in  relation 
to  it  was  simply  marvelous.  As  I  counted  up  its  roll  of  twenty- two 
nations — not  a  civilized  people  in  the  world  but  ourselves  missing,  and 
saw  Greece,  Spain,  and  Turkey  there,  I  began  to  fear  that  in  the  eyes 
of  the  "  rest  of  mankind  "  we  could  not  be  far  from  barbarians.  This 
reflection  did  not  furnish  a  stimulating  food  for  national  pride.  I  grew 
more  and  more  ashamed.  But  the  winter  wore  on  as  winters  do  with 
invalids  abroad.  The  summer  found  me  at  Berne  in  quest  of  strength 
among  its  mountain  views  and  baths. 

On  the  fifteenth  of  July,  1870,  France  declared  w^ar  against  Prussia. 
Within  three  days  a  band  of  agents  from  the  "  International  Committee 
of  Geneva,"  headed  by  Dr.  Louis  Appia  (one  of  the  prime  movers  of 
the  convention),  equipped  for  work  and  e7i  route  for  the  seat  of  war, 
stood  at  the  door  of  my  villa  inviting  me  to  go  with  them  and  take 
such  part  as  I  had  taken  in  our  own  war.  I  had  not  strength  to  trust 
for  that,  and  declined  with  thanks,  promising  to  follow  in  my  own 
time  and  way,  and  I  did  follow  within  a  week.  No  shot  had  then 
been  fired — no  man  had  fallen — yet  this  organized,  powerful  commis- 
sion was  on  its  way,  with  its  skilled  agents,  ready  to  receive,  direct 
and  dispense  the  charities  and  accumulations  which  the  generous 
sympathies  of  twenty-two  nations,  if  applied  to,  might  place  at  its 
disposal.  These  men  had  treaty  power  to  go  directl}''  on  to  any  field, 
and  work  unmolested  in  full  co-operation  with  the  military  and  com- 
manders-in-chief ;  their  supplies  held  sacred  and  their  efforts  recognized 
and  seconded  in  every  direction  by  either  belligerent  army.  Not  a 
man  could  lie  uncared  for  nor  unfed.  I  thought  of  the  Peninsula  in 
McClellan's  campaign — of  Pittsburg  Landing,  Cedar  Mountain  and 
second  Bull  Run,  Antietam,  Old  Fredericksburg  with  its  acres  of  snow- 
covered  and  gun-covered  glacee,  and  its  fourth-day  flag  of  truce  ;  of  its 


62  THE    RED    CROSS. 

dead,  and  starving  wounded,  frozen  to  the  ground,  and  our  commissions 
and  their  supplies  in  Washington,  with  no  effective  organization  to  go 
beyond ;  of  the  Petersburg  mine,  with  its  four  thousand  dead  and 
woinided  and  no  flag  of  truce,  the  wounded  broiling  in  a  July  sun — 
died  and  rotted  where  they  fell.  I  remembered  our  prisons,  crowded 
with  starving  men  whom  all  the  powers  and  pities  of  the  world  could 
not  reach  even  with  a  bit  of  bread.  I  thought  of  the  widows'  weeds 
still  fresh  and  dark  through  all  the  land,  north  and  south,  from  the 
pine  to  the  palm;  the  shadows  on  the  hearths  and  hearts  over  all  my 
country.  Sore,  broken  hearts,  ruined,  desolate  homes !  Was  this 
people  to  decline  a  humanity  in  war?  Was  this  a  country  to  reject  a 
treaty  for  the  help  of  wounded  soldiers?  Were  these  the  women  and 
men  to  stand  aloof  and  consider?  I  believed  if  these  people  knew  that 
the  last  cloud  of  war  had  forever  passed  from  their  horizon,  the  tender, 
painful,  deathless  memories  of  what  had  been  would  bring  them  in 
with  a  force  no  power  could  resist.     They  needed  only  to  know. 

As  I  journeyed  on  and  saw  the  work  of  these  Red  Cross  societies 
in  the  field,  accomplishing  in  four  months  under  their  systematic  organ- 
ization what  we  failed  to  accomplish  in  four  years  without  it — no 
mistakes,  no  needless  suffering,  no  starving,  no  lack  of  care,  no  waste, 
no  confusion,  but  order,  plenty,  cleanliness  and  comfort  wherever  that 
little  flag  made  its  way — a  whole  continent  marshaled  under  the  banner 
of  the  Red  Cross — as  I  saw  all  this,  and  joined  and  worked  in  it,  you 
will  not  wonder  that  I  said  to  mySelf  "  If  I  live  to  return  to  my  country 
I  will  try  to  make  my  people  understand  the  Red  Cross  and  that 
treaty."  But  I  did  more  than  resolve,  I  promised  other  nations  I 
would  do  it,  and  other  reasons  pressed  me  to  remember  my  promise. 
The  Franco-Prussian  war  and  the  war  of  the  commune  were  both  enor- 
mous in  the  extent  of  their  operations  and  in  the  suffering  of  individuals. 
This  great  modern  international  impulse  of  charity  went  out  every- 
where to  meet  and  alleviate  its  miseries.  The  small,  poor  countries 
gave  of  their  poverty  and  the  rich  nations  poured  out  abundantly  of 
their  vast  resources.  The  contributions  of  those  under  the  Red  Cross 
went  quietly,  promptly  through  international  responsible  channels, 
were  thoughtfully  and  carefully  distributed  through  well-known  agents, 
returns,  accurate  to  a  franc,  were  made  and  duly  published  to  the  credit 
of  the  contributing  nations,  and   the  object  aimed  at  was  accomplished. 

America,  filled  with  German  and  French  people,  with  people  humane 
and  universal  in  their  instincts  of  citizenship  and  brotherhood,  freighted 
ships  with  supplies  and    contributions  in  money  prodigal    and  vast. 


ADDRESS  f^2 

They  arrived  in  Europe,  but  they  were  not  under  the  treaty  regula- 
tions. No  sign  of  the  Red  Cross  authorized  any  one  to  receive  and 
distribute  them.  The  poor  baffled  agents,  honest,  well  meaning  and 
indefatigable,  did  all  that  individuals  without  system  or  organization 
could  do.  But  for  the  most  part  the  magnificent  charity  of  America 
was  misapplied  and  went  as  unsystematized  charity  always  tends  to  go, 
to  ruin  and  to  utter  waste.      The  object  aimed  at  was  not  accomplished. 

At  the  end  of  the  report  of  the  international  organization  of  the 
Red  Cross  occurs  something  like  this:  "  It  is  said  that  the  United  States 
of  America  also  contributed  something  for  the  sick  and  wounded,  but 
what,  or  how  much,  or  to  whom,or  when  or  where,  it  is  impossible  to  tell." 

In  the  autumn  of  ^873,  I  returned  to  America  more  broken  in 
health  than  when  I  left  in  1869.  Then  followed  years  of  suffering  in 
which  I  forgot  how  to  walk,  but  I  remembered  my  resolve  and  my 
promise.  After  almost  five  years  I  was  able  to  go  to  Washington  with 
a  letter  from  Monsieur  Moynier,  president  of  the  International  Com- 
mittee of  Geneva,  to  the  President  of  the  United  States,  asking  once 
more  that  our  government  accede  to  the  articles  of  the  convention. 
Having  been  made  the  official  bearer  of  this  letter,  I  presented  it  in 
1877  to  President  Hayes,  who  received  it  kindly,  referring  it  to  his 
Secretary  of  State,  Mr.  Evarts,  who  in  his  turn  referred  it  to  his  assist- 
ant secretary  as  the  person  who  would  know  all  about  it,  examine  and 
report  for  decision.  I  then  saw  how  it  was  made  to  depend  not  alone 
upon  one  department,  but  one  man,  who  had  been  the  assistant  secre- 
tary of  state  in  1864  and  also  in  1868,  when  the  treaty  had  been  on  the 
two  previous  occasions  presented  to  our  government.  It  was  a  settled 
thing.  There  was  nothing  to  hope  for  from  that  administration.  The 
matter  had  been  officially  referred  and  would  be  decided  accordingly. 
It  would  be  declined  because  it  had  been  declined.  If  I  pressed  it  to  a 
decision,  it  would  only  weigh  it  down  with  a  third  refusal.  I  waited. 
My  next  thought  was  to  refer  it  to  Congress.  That  step  would  be 
irregular,  and  discourteous  to  the  administration.  I  did  not  like  to 
take  it,  still  I  attempted  it,  but  could  not  get  it  considered,  for  it 
promised  neither  political  influence,  patronage,  nor  votes. 

The  next  year  I  returned  to  Washington  to  try  Congress  again. 
I  published  a  little  pamphlet  of  two  leaves  addressed  to  the  members 
and  senators,  to  be  laid  upon  their  desks  in  the  hope  they  would  take 
the  trouble  to  read  so  little  as  that,  and  be  by  so  much  the  better  pre- 
pared to  consider  and  act  upon  a  bill  if  I  could  get  one  before  them. 
My  strength  failed  before  I  could  get  that  bill  presented,  and  I  went 


64  THE   RED  CROSS. 

home  again  in  midwinter.  There  tlien  remained  but  a  portion  of  the 
term  ol"  that  administration,  and  I  determined,  if  possible,  to  outlive 
it,  hoping  another  would  be  more  responsive.  Meanwhile  I  wrote, 
talked,  and  did  whatever  I  could  to  spread  the  idea  among  the  people, 
and  March,  1881,  when  the  administration  of  President  Garfield  came 
in,  I  went  again  to  Washington.  The  subject  was  very  cordially 
received  by  the  President  and  carefully  referred  by  him  to  Secretary 
Blaine,  who  considered  it  himself,  conferred  fully  with  me,  and  finally 
laid  it  before  the  President  and  the  cabinet.  Perhaps  the  most  satis- 
factory account  of  that  transaction  will  be  found  in  the  letter  of  Mr. 
Blaine  addressed  to  me,  (see  page  41),  which  gives  the  assurance  that 
President  Garfield  would  reccommend  the  adoption  of  the  treaty  in 
his  message  to  Congress. 

What  were  the  provisions  of  that  treaty  which  had  been  so  con- 
spicuously and  persistently  neglected  and  apparently  rejected  by  this 
whole  government,  whose  people  are  as  humane  as  any  people  in  the 
world,  and  as  ready  to  adopt  plain  and  common  sense  provisions 
against  evils  sure  to  come  upon  themselves  and  those  whom  they  hold 
most  dear  ?  It  was  merely  the  proposed  adoption  of  a  treaty  by  this 
government  with  other  nations  for  the  purpose  of  ameliorating  the 
conditions  incident  to  warfare,  humanizing  its  regulations,  softening 
its  barbarities,  and  so  far  as  possible,  lessening  the  sufferings  of  the 
wounded  and  sick  who  fall  by  it.  This  treaty  consists  of  a  code  of 
ten  articles,  formed  and  adopted  by  the  International  Convention 
of  Geneva,  Switzerland,  held  August  22,  1864,  which  convention 
was  composed  of  delegates,  two  or  more  from  each  of  the  civilized 
nations  of  the  world,  and  was  called  at  the  instance  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Society  of  Public  Utility  of  Switzerland. 

The  sittings  of  the  convention  occupied  four  days,  and  resulted,  as 
before  stated,  in  a  code  of  ten  articles,  to  be  taken  by  the  delegates 
there  present,  back  to  the  governments  of  their  respective  countries  for 
ratification.  Four  months  were  allowed  for  consideration  and  decision 
by  the  governments,  and  all  acceding  within  that  time  were  held  as 
having  signed  at  the  convention.  At  the  close  of  this  period,  it  was 
found  that  twelve  nations  had  endorsed  the  terms  of  the  treaty  and 
signed  its  articles.  The  protocol  was  left  open  for  such  as  should 
follow.  The  articles  of  this  treaty  provide,  as  its  first  and  most  impor- 
tant feature,  for  the  entire  and  strict  neutrality  of  all  material  and 
supplies  contributed  by  any  nation  for  the  use  of  the  sick  and  wounded 
in  war;  also  that  persons  engaged  in  the  distribution  of  them,  shall  not 


ADDRESS.  65 

be  subject  to  capture;  that  all  hospitals,  general  or  field,  shall  be  neu- 
tral, respected  and  protected  by  all  belligerents;  that  all  persons  com- 
prising the  medical  service,  surgeons,  chaplains,  superintendents,  shall 
be  neutral,  continuing  their  work  after  the  occupation  of  a  field  or  post 
the  same  as  before,  and  when  no  longer  needed  be  free  to  retire;  that 
they  may  send  a  representative  to  their  own  headquarters  if  needful; 
that  field  hospitals  shall  retain  their  own  equipments;  that  inhal)'tants 
of  a  country  who  entertain  and  care  for  the  wounded  of  either  side,  in 
their  houses,  shall  be  protected;  that  the  generals  of  an  army  shall  so 
inform  the  people;  that  commanders-in-chief  shall  have  the  power  to 
deliver  immediately  to  the  outposts  of  the  enemy  soldiers  who  have  been 
wounded  in  an  engagement,  both  parties  consenting  to  the  same;  that 
the  wounded,  incapable  of  serving,  shall  be  returned  when  healed;  that 
all  transports  of  wounded  and  all  evacuations  of  posts  or  towns  shall  be 
protected  by  absolute  neutralit5\  That  the  sick  and  wounded  shall  be 
entertained  regardless  of  nationality;  and  that  commanders-in-chief 
shall  act  in  accordance  with  the  instructions  of  their  respective  govern- 
ments, and  in  conformity  to  the  treaty.  In  order  that  all  may  under- 
stand, and  no  mistake  be  possible,  it  also  provides  that  one  uniform 
international  flag  shall  mark  all  hospitals,  all  posts  of  sick  and  wounded, 
and  one  uniform  badge  or  sign  shall  mark  all  hospital  material,  and  be 
worn  by  all  persons  properly  engaged  in  the  hospital  service  of  any 
nation  included  within  the  treaty;  that  this  international  flag  and  sign 
shall  be  a  red  cross  on  a  white  ground,  and  that  the  nations  within  the 
compact  shall  not  cease  their  endeavors  until  every  other  nation  capable 
of  making  war  shall  have  signed  this  treaty,  and  thus  acceded  to  the 
general  principles  of  humanity  in  warfare  recognized  by  other  peoples. 

Thirty-one  governments  have  already  signed  this  treaty,  thirty- 
one  nations  are  in  this  humane  compact.  The  United  States  of 
America  is  not  in  it,  and  the  work  to  which  your  attention  is  called, 
and  which  has  occupied  me  for  the  last  several  years,  is  to  induce  her 
to  place  herself  there. 

This  is  what  the  Red  Cross  means,  not  an  order  of  knighthood, 
not  a  commandery,  not  a  secret  society,  not  a  society  at  all  by  itself, 
but  the  powerful,  peaceful  sign  and  the  reducing  to  practical  usefulness 
of  one  of  the  broadest  and  most  needed  humanities  the  world  has  ever 
known. 

These  articles,  it  will  be  observed,  constitute  at  once  a  treaty 
governing  our  relations  with  foreign  nations,  and  additional  articles  of 
war  governing  the  conduct  of  our  military  forces  in  the  field.     As  a 


66 


THK   RKD   CROSS. 


trc.'ity  under  the  constitution,  the  President  and  Senate  are  competent 
to  deal  with  theni;  as  additional  articles  of  war,  Congress  must  sanction 
and  adopt  them  before  they  can  become  effective  and  binding  upon  the 
govennnent  and  the  people.  For  this  reason  I  have  appealed  to  Con- 
gress as  well  as  to  the  Executive  Department. 

On  the  breaking  up  of  the  original  convention  at  Geneva,  the 
practical  work  of  organizing  its  principles  into  form  and  making  them 
understood  and  adopted  by  the  people,  devolved  upon  seven  men, 
mainly  those  who  had  been  instrumental  in  calling  it.  These  men  were 
peculiarly  fitted  for  this  work  by  special  training,  enlarged  views,  and  a 
comprehensive  charity,  no  less  than  by  practical  insight,  knowledge  of 
the  facts  and  needs  of  the  situation,  and  a  brave  trust  in  the  humane 
instincts  of  human  nature.  They  are  known  to-day  the  world  over  as 
"  The  International  Connnittee  of  Geneva  for  the  relief  of  the  sick  and 
wounded  in  war."  This  committee  is  international,  and  is  the  one 
medium  through  which  all  nations  within  the  treaty  transact  business 
and  carry  on  correspondence. 

The  first  act  of  each  nation  subsequent  to  the  treaty  has  been  to 
establish  a  central  society  of  its  own,  which  of  course  is  national, 
and  which  has  general  charge  and  direction  of  the  work  of  its  own 
country.  Under  these  comes  the  establishment  of  local  societies.  It 
will  be  perceived  that  their  system,  aside  from  its  international  feature, 
is  very  nearly  what  our  own  war  relief  societies  would  have  been  had 
ihey  retained  permanent  organizations.  Indeed,  it  is  believed  that  we 
furnished  for  their  admirable  system  some  very  valuable  ideas.  The 
success  of  the  Red  Cross  associations  consists  in  their  making  their 
societies  permanent,  holding  their  organizations  firm  and  intact,  guard- 
ing their  supplies,  saving  their  property  from  waste,  destruction  and 
pillage,  and  making  the  persons  in  charge  of  the  gifts  of  the  people  as 
strictly  responsible  for  straightforward  conduct  and  honest  returns,  as 
they  would  be  for  the  personal  property  of  an  individual,  a  business 
firm,  or  a  bank. 

In  attempting  to  present  to  the  people  of  this  country  the  plan  of 
the  Red  Cross  societies,  it  is  proper  to  explain  that  originally  and  as 
operating  in  other  countries  they  recognize  only  the  miseries  arising 
from  war.  Their  humanities,  although  immense,  are  confined  to  this 
war  centre.  The  treat}'^  does  not  cover  more  than  this,  but  the  resolu- 
tions for  the  establishment  of  societies  under  the  treaty,  permit  them 
to  organize  in  accordance  with  the  spirit  and  needs  of  their  nationalities. 
By  our  geographical  position  and  isolation  we  are  far  less  liable  to  the 


ADDRESS.  67 

disturbances  of  war  than  the  nations  of  Europe,  which  are  so  frequently 
called  upon  that  they  do  well  to  keep  in  readiness  for  the  exigencies  of 
war  alone.  But  no  country  is  more  liable  than  our  own  to  great  over- 
mastering calamities,  various,  widespread  and  terrible.  Seldom  a  year 
passes  that  the  nation  from  sea  to  sea  is  not,  by  the  shock  of  some  sudden, 
unforeseen  disaster,  brought  to  utter  consternation,  and  stands  shivering 
like  a  ship  in  a  gale,  powerless,  horrified  and  despairing.  Plagues, 
cholera,  fires,  flood,  famine,  all  bear  upon  us  with  terrible  force.  Like 
war  these  events  are  entirely  out  of  the  common  course  of  woes  and 
necessities.  L,ike  death  they  are  sure  to  come  in  some  form  and  at 
some  time,  ard  like  it  no  mortal  knows  where,  how  or  when. 

What  have  we  in  readiness  to  meet  these  emergencies  save  the  good 
heart  of  our  people  and  their  impulsive,  generous  gifts?  Certainly 
no  organized  system  for  collection,  reception  nor  distribution;  no 
agents,  nurses  nor  material,  and,  worst  of  all,  no  funds;  nowhere  any 
resources  in  reserve  for  use  in  such  an  hour  of  peril  and  national 
woe;  every  movement  crude,  confused  and  unsystematized,  every 
thing  as  unprepared  as  if  we  had  never  known  a  calamity  before  and 
had  no  reason  to  expect  one  again. 

Meanwhile  the  suffering  victims  wait!  True,  in  the  shock  we 
bestow  most  generously,  lavishly  even.  Men  "on  Change"  plunge 
their  hands  into  their  pockets  and  throw  their  gold  to  strangers,  who 
may  have  neither  preparation  nor  fitness  for  the  work  they  undertake, 
and  often  no  guaranty  for  honesty.  Women,  in  the  terror  and  excite- 
ment of  the  moment  and  in  their  eagerness  to  aid,  beg  in  the  streets 
and  rush  into  fairs,  working  day  and  night,  to  the  neglect  of  other 
duties  in  the  present,  and  at  the  peril  of  all  health  in  the  future— often 
an  enormous  outlay  for  very  meagre  returns.  Thus  our  gifts  fall  far 
short  of  their  best,  being  hastily  bestowed,  irresponsibly  received  and 
wastefuUy  applied.  We  should  not,  even  if  to  some  degree  we  might, 
depend  upon  our  ordinary  charitable  and  church  societies  to  meet 
these  great  catastrophes;  they  are  always  overtaxed.  Our  communi- 
ties abound  in  charitable  societies,  but  each  has  its  specific  object  to 
which  its  resources  are  and  must  be  applied;  consequently  they  cannot 
be  relied  upon  for  prompt  and  abundant  aid  in  a  great  and  sudden 
emergency.  This  must  necessarily  be  the  case  with  all  societies  which 
organize  to  work  for  a  specific  charity.  And  this  is  as  it  should 
be;  it  is  enough  that  they  do  constantly  bestow. 

Charity  bears  an  open  palm,  to  give  is  her  mission.  But  I 
have  never  classed  these  Red  Cross  societies  with    charities,    I    have 


68  Till-    RKD   CROSS. 

rather  considered  them  as  a  wise  national  provision  which  seeks  to 
garner  and  store  up  something  against  an  hour  of  sudden  need.  In  all 
our  land  we  have  not  one  organization  of  this  nature  and  which  acts 
uptin  the  system  of  conserved  resources.  Our  people  have  been  more 
wise  and  thoughtful  in  the  establishment  of  means  for  preventing  and 
arresting  the  destruction  of  property  than  the  destruction  of  human 
life  and  the  lessening  of  consequent  suffering.  They  have  provided 
and  maintain  at  an  immense  cost,  in  the  aggregate,  a  system  of  fire 
departments  with  their  expensive  buildings  and  apparatus,  with  their 
fine  horses  and  strong  men  kept  constantl}'  in  readiness  to  dash  to  the 
rescue  at  the  first  dread  clang  of  the  fire  bell.  Still,  w^hile  the  electric 
current  may  dash  upon  us  at  any  moment  its  ill  tidings  of  some  great 
human  distress,  we  have  no  means  of  relief  in  readiness  such  as  these 
Red  Cross  societies  would  furnish. 

I  beg  you  will  not  feel  that  in  the  presentation  of  this  plan  of 
action  I  seek  to  add  to  the  labors  of  the  people.  On  the  contrary,  I  am 
striving  to  lesson  them  by  making  previous,  calm  preparation  do  away 
with  the  strain  and  confusion  of  unexpected  necessities  and  haste,  I 
am  providing  not  weariness,  but  rest. 

And,  again,  I  would  not  be  understood  as  suggesting  the  raising 
of  more  moneys  for  charitable  purposes;  rather  I  am  trying  to  save  the 
people's  means,  to  economize  their  charities,  to  make  their  gifts  do 
more  by  the  prevention  of  needless  waste  and  extravagance.  If  I 
thought  that  the  formation  of  these  societies  would  add  a  burden  to  our 
people  I  would  be  the  last  to  advocate  it.  I  would  not,  however,  yield  the 
fact  of  the  treaty.  For  patriotism,  for  national  honor,  I  would  stand 
by  that  at  all  cost.  My  first  and  greatest  endeavor  has  been  to  wipe 
from  the  scroll  of  my  country's  fame  the  stain  of  imputed  lack  of  com- 
mon humanity,  to  take  her  out  of  the  roll  of  barbarism.  I  said  that 
in  1869  there  were  twenty-two  nations  in  the  compact.  There  are  now 
thirty-one,  for  since  that  date  have  been  added  Roumania,  Persia,  San 
Salvador,  Montenegro,  Servia;  Bolivia,  Chili,  Argentine  Republic  and 
Peru.  If  the  United  States  of  America  is  fortunate  and  diligent  she 
may,  perhaps,  come  to  stand  No.  32  in  the  roll  of  civilization  and 
humanity.  If  not,  she  will  remain  where  she  at  present  stands,  among 
the  barbarians  and  the  heathen. 

In  considering  this  condition  of  things  it  seemed  desirable  to  so 
extend  the  original  design  of  the  Red  Cross  societies  operating  in  other 
lands  as  to  include  not  only  suffering  by  war,  but  by  pestilence,  famine, 
fires  or  floods — in  short,  any  unlooked-for  calamity  so  great  as  to  place 


ADDRESS.  69 

it  beyond  the  means  of  ordinary  local  charity,  and  which  by  public 
opinion  would  be  pronounced  a  national  calamity;  but  that  this  addi- 
tion should  in  no  way  impair  the  original  functions  of  the  society,  and 
that  for  their  own  well  being  they  should  be  held  firm  by  the  distin- 
guishing feature  of  the  international  constitution,  which  provides  that 
local  societies  shall  not  act  except  upon  orders  from  the  National  Asso- 
ciation, which  is  charged  with  the  duty  of  being  so  fully  informed  upon 
all  such  subjects,  both  at  home  and  abroad,  as  to  constitute  it  the  most 
competent  judge  of  the  magnitude  and  gravity  of  any  catastrophe. 

During  all  these  years  no  societies  under  the  true  banner  of  the 
Red  Cross  of  Geneva  were  or  could  be  organized,  for  the  government 
had  not  yet  ratified  the  treaty  and  no  department  of  the  government 
had  then  intimated  that  it  ever  would  be  ratified.  It  could  not  be  a 
responsible  or  quite  an  honest  movement  on  my  part  to  proceed  to  the 
formation  of  societies  to  act  under  and  in  conformity  to  a  treaty  of 
special  character  so  long  as  our  government  recognized  no  such 
treaty  and  I  could  get  no  assurance  that  it  ever  would  or  indeed  could 
recognize  it. 

But  this  delay  in  the  formation  of  societies,  however  embarrass- 
ing, was  in  no  manner  able  to  interfere  with  the  general  plan,  or  the 
working  details  for  its  operations,  which  had  been  arranged  and  decided 
upon  before  the  presentation  of  the  subject  to  the  government  in  1877, 
and  published  in  pamphlet  form  in  1878,  making  it  to  cover,  as  it  now 
does,  the  entire  field  of  national  relief  for  great  national  woes  and 
calamities  in  time  of  peace,  no  less  than  in  war.  The  wise  provisions, 
careful  preparations  and  thorough  system  which  had  been  found  so 
efl&cient  in  the  permanent  societies  of  the  Red  Cross  in  other  countries, 
could  not  fail,  I  thought,  to  constitute  both  a  useful  and  powerful 
system  of  relief  in  any  class  of  disasters.  I  therefore  ventured  so  far 
upon  the  generous  spirit  of  their  original  resolutions  in  the  plan  of 
our  societies  as,  mechanically  speaking,  to  attach  to  this  vast  motor 
power  the  extra  and  hitherto  dead  weight  of  our  great  national 
calamities,  in  order  that  the  same  force  should  apply  to  all  and  serve 
to  lighten  I  hoped,  so  far  as  possible,  not  only  the  woes  of  those 
directly  called  to  suffer,  but  the  burdens  on  the  hearts  and  hands  of 
those  called  to  sympathize  with  their  sufferings. 

The  time  allowed  for  the  practical  test  of  this  experiment  has  been 
short.  Scarcely  three  months  in  which  to  organize  and  act,  but  the 
brave  societies  of  the  Red  Cross  of  western  New  York,  at  this  moment 
standing  so  nobly  among  their  flame-stricken  neighbors  of  Michigan — 


70  THK   RED   CROSS. 

so  generously  responding  to  their  calls  for  help,  are  quite  sufficient  I 
believe  to  show  what  the  action  and  results  of  this  combined  system 
will  be  when  recognized  and  inaugurated. 

It  may  be  said  that  this  treaty  jeopardizes  our  traditional  policy, 
which  jealously  guards  against  entangling  alliances  abroad;  that  as  we 
are  exempt  by  our  geographical  position  from  occasions  for  war  this 
treaty  must  bring  us  not  benefits  but  only  burdens  from  other  people's 
calamities  and  wars — calamities  and  wars  which  we  do  not  create  and 
of  which  we  may  properly  reap  the  incidental  advantages.  But  this 
treaty  binds  none  to  bear  burdens,  but  only  to  refrain  from  cruelties;  it 
binds  not  to  give  but  to  allow  others  to  give  wisely  and  to  work 
humanely  if  they  will,  while  all  shall  guarantee  to  them  undisturbed 
activity  in  deeds  of  charity.  There  is  then  in  the  Red  Cross  no 
"  entangling  alliance  "  that  any  but  a  barbarian  at  war  can  feel  as  a 
restraint.  This  inculcated  wariness  of  foreign  influences,  wonderfully 
freshened  by  the  conduct  of  foreign  rulers  and  writers  during  the  rebel- 
lion and  deepened  by  the  crimes  and  the  craft  directed  primarily  at 
Mexico  and  ultimately  at  us,  made  the  people  of  America  in  1864 
and  1868  devoutly  thankful  for  the  friendly  and  stormy  sea  that  rolled 
between  them  and  the  European  states.  And  it  is  not  perhaps  alto- 
gether strange  that  American  statesmen,  inspired  by  such  a  public 
opinion,  should  then  have  been  but  little  inclined  to  look  with  favor 
upon  any  new  international  obligations  however  specious  in  appearance 
or  humane  in  fact.  But  the  award  of  Geneva  surely  opened  the  way 
for  the  Red  Cross  of  Geneva.  Time  and  success  have  made  plain  the 
nation's  path.  The  postal  treaty  since  made  among  all  nations  and 
entered  into  heartily  by  this  has  proved  salutary  to  all.  It  has 
removed  every  valid  state  reason  for  opposition  to  the  harmless, 
humane  and  peaceful  provisions  of  the  treaty  of  the  Red  Cross. 

But  in  the  midst  of  the  rugged  facts  of  war  come  sentimental 
objections  and  objectors.  For,  deplore  it  as  we  may,  war  is  the  great 
fact  of  all  history  and  its  most  pitiable  feature  is  not  after  all  so  much 
the  great  numbers  slain,  wounded  and  captured  in  battle,  as  their  cruel 
after  treatment  as  wounded  and  prisoners,  no  adequate  provision  being 
made  for  their  necessities,  no  humane  care  even  permitted,  except  at 
the  risk  of  death  or  imprisonment  as  spies,  of  those  moved  by  wdse 
pity  or  a  simple  religious  zeal. 

Among  these  hard  facts  appears  a  conscientious  theorist  and  asks, 
Is  not  war  a  great  sin  and  wrong  ?  Ought  we  to  provide  for  it,  to  make 
it  easy,  to  lessen  its  horrors,  to  mitigate  its  sufferings?     Shall  we  not 


ADDRESS.  71 

in  this  way  encourage  rulers  and  peoples  to  engage  in  war  for  slight 
and  fancied  grievances  ? 

We  provide  for  the  victims  of  the  great  wrong  and  sin  of  intem- 
perance. These  are  for  the  most  part  voluntary  victims,  each  in  a 
measure  the  arbiter  of  his  own  fate.  The  soldier  has  generally  no  part, 
no  voice,  in  creating  the  war  in  which  he  fights.  He  simply  obeys  as 
he  must  his  superiors  and  the  laws  of  his  country.  Yes,  it  is  a  great 
wrong  and  sin,  and  for  that  reason  I  would  provide  not  only  for,  but 
against  it. 

But  here  comes  the  speculative  theorist!  Isn't  it  encouraging  a 
bad  principle;  wouldn't  it  be  better  to  do  away  with  all  war  ?  Wouldn't 
peace  societies  be  better?  Oh,  yes,  my  friend,  as  much  better  as  the 
millennium  would  be  better  than  this,  but  it  is  not  here.  Hard  facts 
are  here;  war  is  here;  war  is  the  outgrowth,  indicator  and  relic  of 
barbarism.  Civilization  alone  will  do  away  with  it,  and  scarcely  a 
quarter  of  the  earth  is  yet  civilized,  and  that  quarter  not  beyond  the 
possibilities  of  war.  It  is  a  long  step  yet  to  permanent  peace.  We 
cannot  cross  a  stream  until  we  reach  it.  The  sober  truth  is,  we  are 
called  to  deal  with  facts,  not  theories;  we  must  practice  if  we  would 
teach.  And  be  assured,  my  friends,  there  is  not  a  peace  society  on  the 
face  of  the  earth  to-day,  nor  ever  will  be,  so  potent,  so  effectual  against 
war  as  the  Red  Cross  of  Geneva. 

The  sooner  the  world  learns  that  the  halo  of  glory  which  sur- 
rounds a  field  of  battle  and  its  tortured,  thirsting,  starving,  pain-racked, 
dying  victims  exists  only  in  imagination;  that  it  is  all  sentiment,  delu- 
sion, falsehood,  given  for  effect;  that  soldiers  do  not  die  painless  deaths; 
that  the  sum  of  all  human  agony  finds  its  equivalent  on  the  battle- 
field, in  the  hospital,  by  the  weary  wayside  and  in  the  prison;  that, 
deck  it  as  you  will,  it  is  agony;  the  sooner  and  more  thoroughly  the 
people  of  the  earth  are  brought  to  realize  and  appreciate  these  facts, 
the  more  slow  and  considerate  they  will  be  about  rushing  into  hasty 
and  needless  wars,  and  the  less  popular  war  will  become. 

Death  by  the  bullet  painless!  What  did  this  nation  do  during 
eighty  agonizing  and  memorable  days  but  to  watch  the  effects  of  one 
bullet  wound?  Was  it  painless?  Painless  either  to  the  victim  or  the 
nation  ?  Though  canopied  by  a  fortitude,  patience,  faith  and  courage 
scarce  exceeded  in  the  annals  of  history,  still  was  it  agony.  And  when 
in  his  delirious  dreams  the  dying  President  murmured,  "The  great 
heart  of  the  nation  will  not  let  the  soldier  die,"  I  prayed  God  to 
hasten  the  time  when  every  \younded  soldier  would  be  sustained  by 


72  THE    RKD    CROSS. 

this  sweet  assurance;  that  in  the  combined  sympathies,  wisdom, 
enlightenment  and  power  of  the  nations,  he  should  indeed  feel  that 
the  great  heart  of  the  people  would  not  let  the  soldier  die. 

Friends,  was  it  accident,  or  was  it  providence  which  made  it  one 
of  the  last  acts  of  James  A.  Garfield  in  health  to  pledge  himself  to  urge 
upon  the  representatives  of  his  people  in  Congress  assembled,  this  great 
national  step  for  the  relief  and  care  of  wounded  men  ?  lyiving  or  dying 
it  was  his  act  and  his  wish,  and  no  member  in  that  honored,  considerate 
and  humane  body  but  will  feel  himself  in  some  manner  holden  to  see  it 
carried  out. 


ACTION   OF  THE   GOVERNMENT  OF  THE   UNITED   STATES. 

The  president  of  the  American  Red  Cross,  Clara  Barton,  in 
November,  1881,  laid  before  President  Arthur  the  matter  of  the 
Treat)'  of  Geneva,  and  the  unfulfilled  desire  of  President  Garfield  that 
the  United  States  should  give  its  adhesion  to  that  international  com- 
pact. To  this  President  Arthur  gave  a  cordial  and  favorable  response, 
and  made  good  his  words  by  the  following  paragraph  in  his  first  annual 
message,  sent  to  the  forty-seventh  Congress: 

At  its  last  extra  session  the  Senate  called  for  the  text  of  the  Geneva  Convention 
for  the  relief  of  the  wounded  in  war.  I  trust  that  this  action  foreshadows  such 
interest  in  the  subject  as  will  result  in  the  adhesion  of  the  United  States  to  that 
humane  and  commendable  engagement. 

This  part  of  the  message  was  immediately  taken  up  in  the  Senate 
and  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Foreign  Relations,  consisting  of 
the  following  named  gentlemen,  to  wit:  William  Windom,  Minne- 
sota; George  F.  Edmunds,  Vermont;  John  T.  Miller,  California; 
Thomas  W.  Ferry,  Michigan;  Elbridge  G.  Lapham,  New  York;  John 
W.Johnston,  Virginia;  J.  T.  Morgan,  Alabama;  George  H.  Pendleton, 
Ohio;  Benjamin  H.  Hill,  Georgia. 

During  the  consideration  of  the  subject  an  invitation  was  extended 
to  the  president  of  the  American  Association,  its  counsel  and  other 
associate  members  to  meet  the  above  named  Senate  Committee  at  the 
Capitol,  for  conference,  and  for  an  explanation  of  such  points  as  still 
remained  obscure,  to  aid  t>ieir  deliberations,  and  to  facilitate  investi- 
gations, 


ACTION  OF  THE   GOVERNMENT.  73 

On  the  seventeenth  of  May,  18S1,  Hon.  Omar  D.  Conger  submitted 
to  the  United  States  Senate  the  following  resolution,  which  was  consid- 
ered by  unanimous  consent  and  agreed  to: 

Resolved^  That  the  Secretary  of  State  be  requested  to  furnish  to  the  Senate 
copies  (translations)  of  Articles  of  Convention  signed  at  Geneva,  Switzerland, 
August  22,  1864,  touching  the  treatment  of  those  wounded  in  war,  together  with 
the  forms  of  ratification  employed  by  the  several  governments,  parties  thereto. 

On  the  twelfth  of  December,  188 1,  in  response  to  the  above  resolu- 
tion. President  Arthur  addressed  to  the  Senate  a  message  transmitting 
a  report  of  the  Secretary  of  State,  with  accompanying  papers,  touching 
the  Geneva  convention  for  the  relief  of  the  wounded  in  war,  which 
message,  report  and  accompanying  papers  were  as  follows: 

(Senate  Ex.  Doc.  No.  6,  47th  Congress,  ist  Session.) 

Message  from  the  President  of  the  United  States,  transmitting  in  response  to 
Senate  resolution  of  May  17th,  1881,  a  report  of  the  Secretary  of  State,  with 
accompanying  papers,  touching  the  Geneva  convention  for  the  relief  of  the 
wounded  in  war. 

December  12,  1881. — Referred  to  the  Committee  on  Foreign  Relations  and 
ordered  to  be  printed. 

To  Senate  of  the  United  States: 

I  transmit  herewith,  in  response  to  the  resolution  of  the  Senate  of  the  seven- 
teenth of  May  last,  a  report  of  the  Secretary  of  State,  with  accompanying  papers, 
touching  the  Geneva  convention  for  the  relief  of  the  wounded  in  war. 

Chester  A.  Arthur. 
Executive  Mansion, 
Washington,  December  12,  1S81. 


To  the  President: 

The  Secretary  of  State,  to  whom  was  addressed  a  resolution  of  the  Senate, 
dated  the  seventeenth  of  May,  1881,  requesting  him  "to  furnish  to  the  Senate  copies 
(translations)  of  Articles  of  Convention  signed  at  Geneva,  Switzerland,  August  22, 
1864,  touching  the  treatment  of  those  wounded  in  war,  together  with  the  forms  of 
ratification  employed  by  the  several  governments,  parties  thereto,"  has  the  honor  to 
lay  before  the  President  the  papers  called  for  by  the  resolution. 

In  view  of  the  reference  made,  in  the  annual  message  of  the  President,  to  the 
Geneva  convention,  the  Secretary  of  State  deems  it  unnecessary  now  to  enlarge 
upon  the  advisability  of  the  adhesion  of  the  United  Slates  to  an  international 
compact  at  once  so  humane  in  its  character  and  so  universal  in  its  application  as  to 
commend  itself  to  the  adoption  of  nearly  all  the  civilized  powers. 

James  G.  Blaine. 
Department  of  State, 
Washington.  December  /a,  i88t. 


74  THE    RED   CROSS. 


THE  "ADDITIONAL  ARTICLES"  CONCERNING  THE  RED 
CROSS  FOR  THE  NAVY. 

The  governments  of  North  Germany,  Austria,  Baden,  Bavaria, 
Belgium,  Denmark,  France,  Great  Britain,  Italy,  the  Netherlands, 
Sweden  and  Norway,  Switzerland,  Turkey  and  Wiirtemberg,  desiring 
to  extend  to  armies  on  the  sea  the  advantages  of  the  convention  con- 
cluded at  Geneva  the  twenty-second  of  August,  1864,  for  the  ameliora- 
tion of  the  condition  of  wounded  soldiers  in  armies  in  the  field,  and  to 
further  particularize  some  of  the  stipulations  of  the  said  convention, 
proiK»sed  and  signed  the  following  additional  articles: 

Additional  Articles  to  the  Convention  of  Geneva  of  the  twenty- 
second  August,  1864,  signed  at  Geneva  the  twentieth  of  October,  1868. 

Article  I.  The  persons  designated  in  Article  II.  of  the  convention  shall, 
after  the  occupation  by  the  enemy,  continue  to  fulfill  their  duties,  according  to 
their  wants,  to  the  sick  and  wounded  in  the  ambulance  or  the  hospital  which  they 
serve.  When  they  request  to  withdraw,  the  commander  of  the  occupying  troops 
shall  fix  the  time  of  departure,  which  he  shall  onl}-  be  allowed  to  delay  for  a  short 
time  in  case  of  military  necessity. 

Art.  II.  Arrangements  will  have  to  be  made  by  the  belligerent  powers  to 
ensure  to  the  neutralized  person,  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  army  of  the  enemy, 
the  entire  enjoyment  of  his  salary. 

Art.  III.  Under  the  conditions  provided  for  in  Articles  I.  and  IV.  of  the 
convention,  the  name  "ambulance  "  applies  to  field  hospitals  and  other  tempo- 
rary establishments,  which  follow  the  troops  on  the  field  of  battle  to  receive  the 
sick  and  wounded. 

Art.  IV.  In  conformity  with  the  spirit  of  Article  V.  of  the  convention,  and 
to  the  reservations  contained  in  the  protocol  of  1864,  it  is  explained  that  for 
the  appointment  of  the  charges  relative  to  the  quartering  of  troops  and  of  the 
contributions  of  war,  account  only  shall  be  taken  in  an  equitable  manner  of  the 
charitable  zeal  displayed  by  the  inhabitants. 

Art.  V.  In  addition  to  Article  VI.  of  the  convention,  it  is  stipulated  that, 
with  the  reservation  of  officers  whose  detention  might  be  important  to  the  fate  of 
arms,  and  within  the  limits  fixed  by  the  second  paragraph  of  that  article,  the 
wounded  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy  shall  be  sent  back  to  their  country', 
after  they  are  cured,  or  sooner  if  possible,  on  condition,  nevertheless,  of  not  again 
bearing  arms  during  the  continuance  of  the  war. 

Art.  VI.  The  boats  which,  at  their  own  risk  and  peril,  during  and  after  an 
engagement  pick  up  the  shipwrecked  or  wounded,  or  which,  having  picked  them 
up,  convey  them  on  board  a  neutral,  or  hospital  ship,  shall  enjoy,  until  the  accom- 
plishment of  their  mission,  the  character  of  neutrality,  as  far  as  the  circumstances 
of  the  engagement  and  the  position  of  the  ships  engaged  will  permit. 


ADDITIONAL   ARTICLES.  75 

The  appreciation  of  these  circumstances  is  entrusted  to  the  humanity  of  all 
the  combatants.  The  wrecked  and  wounded  thus  picked  up  and  saved  must  not 
serve  again  during  the  continuance  of  the  war. 

Art.  VII.  The  religious,  medical  and  hospital  staff  of  any  captured  vessel  are 
declared  neutral,  and,  on  leaving  the  ship,  may  remove  the  articles  and  surgical 
instruments  which  are  their  private  property. 

Art.  VIII.  The  staff  designated  in  the  preceding  article  must  continue  to 
fulfill  their  functions  in  the  captured  ship,  assisting  in  the  removal  of  wounded 
made  by  the  victorious  party;  they  will  then  beat  liberty  to  return  to  their  country, 
in  conformity  with  the  second  paragraph  of  the  first  additional  article. 

The  .stipulations  of  the  second  additional  article  are  applicable  to  the  pay  and 
allowance  of  the  staff. 

Art.  IX.  The  military  hospital  ships  remain  under  martial  law  in  all  that 
concerns  their  stores;  they  become  the  property  of  the  captor,  but  the  latter  must 
not  divert  them  from  their  special  appropriation  during  the  continuance  of  the 
war. 

The  vessels  not  equipped  for  fighting,  which  during  peace  the  government 
shall  have  officially  declared  to  be  intended  to  serve  as  floating  hospital  ships,  shall, 
however,  enjoy  during  the  war  complete  neutrality,  both  as  regards  stores,  and 
also  as  regards  their  stafT,  provided  their  equipment  is  exclusively  appropriated  to 
the  special  service  on  which  they  are  employed. 

Art.  X.  Any  merchantman,  to  whatever  nation  she  may  belong,  charged 
exclusively  with  removal  of  sick  and  wounded,  is  protected  by  neutrality,  but  the 
mere  fact,  noted  on  the  ship's  books,  of  the  vessel  having  been  visited  by  an 
enemy's  cruiser,  renders  the  sick  and  wounded  incapable  of  serving  during  the 
continuance  of  the  war.  The  cruiser  shall  even  have  the  right  of  putting  on  board 
an  officer  in  order  to  accompany  the  convoy,  and  thus  verify  the  good  faith  of  the 
operation. 

If  the  merchant  ship  also  carries  a  cargo,  her  neutrality  will  still  protect  it, 
provided  that  such  cargo  is  not  of  a  nature  to  be  confiscated  by  the  belligerents. 

The  belligerents  retain  the  right  to  interdict  neutralized  vessels  from  all  com- 
munication, and  from  any  course  which  they  may  deem  prejudicial  to  the  secrecy 
of  their  operations.  In  urgent  cases,  special  conventions  may  be  entered  into 
between  commanders-in-chief,  in  order  to  neutralize  temporarily  and  in  a  special 
manner  the  vessels  intended  for  the  removal  of  the  sick  and  wounded. 

Art.  XI.  Wounded  or  sick  sailors  and  soldiers,  when  embarked,  to  whatever 
nation  they  may  belong,  shall  be  protected  and  taken  care  of  by  their  captors. 

Their  return  to  their  own  country  is  subject  to  the  provisions  of  Article  VI.  of 
the  convention,  and  of  the  additional  .'\rticle  V. 

Art.  XII.  The  distinctive  flag  to  be  used  with  the  national  flag,  in  order  to 
indicate  any  vessel  or  boat  which  may  claim  the  benefits  of  neutrality,  in  virtue 
of  the  principles  of  this  convention,  is  a  white  flag  with  a  red  cross.  The  belliger- 
ents may  exercise  in  this  respect  any  mode  of  verification  which  they  may  deem 
necessary. 

Military  hospital  ships  shall  be  distinguished  by  being  painted  white  outside, 
with  green  strake. 

Art.  XIII.  The  hospital  ships  which  are  equipped  at  the  expense  of  the  aid 
societies,  recognized  by  the  governments  signing  this  convention,  and  which  are 
5 


76  THK    RKD   CRO.SS. 

furnishetl  with  a  coimnission  ciiianatiiig  from  the  sovereign,  who  shall  have  given 
express  authority  for  tlieir  heiiig  fitleil  out,  and  with  a  certificate  from  the  proper 
naval  authority  that  they  have  l)een  placed  under  his  control  during  their  fitting 
out  and  on  their  final  departure,  and  that  they  were  then  appropriated  solely  to  the 
purpose  of  their  mission,  shall  be  considered  neutral,  as  well  as  the  whole  of  their 
staff.     They  shall  be  recognized  and  protected  by  the  belligerents. 

They  shall  make  themselves  known  by  hoisting,  together  with  their  nationar 
flag,  the  white  flag  with  a  red  cross.  The  distinctive  mark  of  their  staff,  while 
performing  their  duties,  shall  be  an  armlet  of  the  same  colors. 

The  outer  painting  of  these  hospital  ships  shall  be  white,  with  red  strake. 

These  ships  shall  bear  aid  and  assistance  to  the  wounded  and  wrecked  bellig- 
erents, without  distinction  of  nationality. 

They  nmst  take  care  not  to  interfere  in  any  way  with  the  movements  of  the 
combatants.  During  and  after  the  battle  they  must  do  their  duty  at  their  own 
risk  and  peril. 

The  belligerents  shall  have  the  right  of  controlling  and  visiting  them;  they 
will  be  at  liberty  to  refuse  their  assistance,  to  order  them  to  depart,  and  to  detain 
them  if  the  exigencies  of  the  case  require  such  a  step. 

The  wounded  and  wrecked  picked  up  by  these  ships  cannot  be  reclaimed  by 
either  of  tiie  combatants,  and  they  will  be  required  not  to  serve  during  the  con- 
tinuance of  the  war. 

Art.  XIV.  In  naval  wars  any  strong  presumption  that  either  belligerent 
takes  advantage  of  the  benefits  of  neutrality,  with  any  other  view  than  the  interest 
of  the  sick  and  wounded,  gives  to  the  other  belligerent,  until  proof  to  the  con- 
rary,  the  right  of  suspending  the  Convention  Treaty,  as  regards  such  belligerent. 

Should  this  presumption  become  a  certainty,  notice  may  be  given  to  such 
belligerent  that  the  convention  is  suspended  with  regard  to  him  during  the  whole 
continuance  of  the  war. 

Art.  XV.  The  present  act  shall  be  drawn  up  in  a  single  original  copy,  which 
shall  be  deposited  in  the  archives  of  the  Swiss  Confederation. 

An  authentic  copy  of  this  act  shall  be  delivered,  with  an  invitation  to  adhere 
to  it,  to  each  of  the  signatory  powers  of  the  convention  of  the  twenty-second  of 
August,  1864,  as  well  as  to  those  that  have  successively  acceded  to  it. 

In  faith  whereof,  the  undersigned  commissaries  have  drawn  up  the  present 
project  of  additional  articles  and  have  affixed  thereunto  the  seals  of  their  arms: 

Von  Roeder,  Westenberg, 

F.  Loffler,  F.  N.  StaaflF, 

Kohler,  G.  H.  Dufour, 

Dr.  Mundy,  G.  Moynier, 

Steiner,  A.  Coupvent  des  Bois, 

Dr.  Dompierre,  H.  de  Preval, 

Visschers,  John  Saville  Lumley, 

J.  B.  G.  Galiffe,  H.  R.  Yelverton, 

D.  Felice  Baroffio,  Dr.  S.  Lehmann, 

Paalo  Cottrau,  Husuy, 

Ji.  A.  Van  Karnebeck,  Dr.  C.  Hahn, 
Pr.  Fichte. 


THE  CONVENTION  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES.         77 

{TnUrnational  Bulletin,  January,  i88i.'\ 

THE  GENEVA  CONVENTION  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

The  friends  of  the  Red  Cross  are  not  ignorant  that  the  list  of  vStates  which 
have  signed  the  Geneva  Convention  presents  a  grave  and  lamentable  lack.  One 
of  the  most  civilized  nations  of  the  world,  and  consequently  one  of  the  best  pre- 
pared to  subscribe  to  the  principles  of  this  treaty,  that  is  to  say,  the  United  States 
of  America,  does  not  appear  there.  Their  absence  is  so  much  the  more  surprising 
because  the  proceedings  of  the  Geneva  Convention  have  only  been,  in  some 
respects,  the  partial  reproduction  of  the  celebrated  "  Instructions  of  the  American 
Army,"  edited  by  the  late  Dr.  Lieber,  and  adopted  by  President  Lincoln  (.\pril 
24,  1863),  and  put  in  practice  by  the  armies  of  the  North  during  the  war  of  seces- 
sion. More  than  this,  it  is  remembered  that  the  Government  at  Washington  had 
been  represented  at  the  Diplomatic  Conference  of  Geneva  in  1864  by  two  delegates 
at  the  debates  relative  to  the  Geneva  Convention,  but  without  being  furnished 
with  sufficient  power  to  sign  it.  [Protocol  of  the  session  of  August  9,  1S64.] 
These  were  Messrs.  George  J.  Fogg,  United  States  Minister  at  Berne,  and  Charles 
S.  P.  Bowles,  European  Agent  of  the  American  Sanitary  Commission. 

It  was  expected,  then,  that  the  adhesion  of  the  United  States  would  soon  fol- 
low, but  nothing  came  of  it.  Nevertheless,  in  the  hope  that  this  result  would  not 
be  too  long  delayed,  an  aid  society  was  formed  at  New  York  in  1866,  when  the 
civil  war  had  come  to  an  end,  to  gather  in  some  way  the  heritage  of  the  Sanitary 
Commission,  which  had  just  filled  with  much  brilliancy,  and  during  several  years, 
the  role  of  a  veritable  Red  Cross  Society. 

One  might  have  thought  that  the  Berlin  Conference  in  1869  would  be  a  de- 
termining circumstance  which  would  induce  the  United  States  to  enter  into  the 
European  concert. 

The  invitation  to  assist  at  the  Conference  at  Berlin  in  1869  was  addressed  to 
the  Government  of  the  United  States,  which  declined  it  with  thanks,  as  not  hav- 
ing taken  part  in  the  Convention  of  Geneva.  The  society  of  which  we  have  just 
spoken  was  in  like  manner  invited,  but  it  also  was  not  represented. 

This  double  absence  called  out  a  proposition  from  M.  Hepke,  privy  counsellor 
of  the  legation,  a  proposition,  supported  by  the  signatures  of  thirty-eight  other 
delegates  present,  and  adopted  unanimously  by  the  members  of  the  Conference. 

The  text  of  it  was  as  follows: 

"The  Conference  having  arrived  at  the  end  of  their  labors,  express  a  lively 
regret  at  having  been  deprived  of  the  precious  assistance  of  the  delegates  from  the 
United  States  of  North  America,  convinced  that  the  great  and  noble  nation  which, 
one  of  the  first  in  the  world,  has  rendered  eminent  ser\'ices  to  the  great  humani- 
tarian work,  will  welcome  with  sympathy  the  results  of  their  labors,  the  Conference 
desires  that  the  protocols  of  these  sessions  shall  be  addressed  by  their  President  to 
the  Government  of  the  United  States  of  North  America,  and  to  the  different  aid 
committees  which  exist  in  that  country." 


7S  THE   RED   CROSS. 

That  step  unfortunately  remained  without  results.  The  society  which  had  itsseat 
at  New  York,  comprehending  that  its  existence  would  be  unnatural  and  its  position 
false  so  long  as  the  gt)vernnlent  refused  to  sign  the  convention,  finished  by  dissolv- 
ing towards  the  end  of  1S72. 

Since  then,  the  International  Committee,  which  would  not  despair  of  success, 
made  upon  its  part  several  new  attempts,  which  invariably  met  with  absolute  non- 
attention.  Happily  the  history  of  the  Red  Cross  was  there  to  prove  that  the  most 
tenacious  resistance  is  not  indefinite,  and  that  sooner  or  later  the  sentiments  of  the 
most  recalcitrant  governments  are  modified  under  the  control  of  circumstances. 
How  many  we  have  seen  who  at  first  believed  their  adhesion  useless,  or  even 
dangerous,  and  who  have  been  led  to  repentance  on  the  occurrence  of  wars  in 
which  their  armies  were  to  be,  or  had  been,  engaged,  because  they  comprehended 
at  that  moment  only  to  what  point  their  fears  were  chimerical  or  their  indifference 
injurious  to  those  depending  upon  them  for  protection. 

In  the  United  States  time  has  done  its  work  as  elsewhere,  though  peace  has 
long  reigned  there.  The  change  of  sentiment  which  has  been  produced  in  regard 
to  the  Red  Cross  has  revealed  itself  recently  on  the  sixth  of  December,  1881,  in 
the  message  of  President  Arthur  at  the  opening  of  the  fourth  session  of  the  Forty- 
seventh  Congress.     We  read  there  the  following  paragraph: 

"At  its  last  extra  session  the  Senate  demanded  the  text  of  the  Geneva 
Convention  for  aiding  the  wounded  in  time  of  war.  I  hope  that  this  fact  proves 
the  interest  which  the  Senate  feels  in  this  question,  and  that  there  will  result  from 
it,  the  adhesion  of  the  United  States  to  this  humane  and  commendable  treaty." 

It  seems,  then,  that  we  touch  the  port;  the  matter  is  seriously  considered,  and 
it  will  be  with  lively  satisfaction  that  we  shall  register  the  result  which  has  been  so 
long  the  end  of  our  desires. 

We  will  not  terminate  these  retrospective  considerations,  without  telling 
what  we  know  of  the  causes  which  have  recently  led  to  decisive  steps  in  the 
question. 

It  is,  above  all,  to  a  woman  that  this  result  is  owing,  and  the  name  of  that 
woman  is  not  unknown  to  our  readers.  We  spoke  to  them  several  years  ago 
of  Miss  Clara  Barton,  one  of  the  heroines  of  the  American  war,  where  she 
reproduced  the  charitable  exploits  of  Miss  Nightingale;  she  was  honored  at  the 
conclusion  of  the  war  with  a  national  recompense.  * 

♦This  statement  is  not  exact;  indeed,  it  does  some  injustice  as  well  to  Miss  Barton  as  to  the 
American  Congress,  and  was  doubtless  derived  from  misstatements  promulgated  in  the  United 
States,  the  result  of  a  general  misunderstanding  of  the  facts,  and  an  error,  of  course,  unknown 
to  a  foreign  writer. 

Precisely  what  the  Thirty-seventh  Congress  did  was  to  pass  the  following  joint  resolution  of 
both  houses,  and  in  accordance  with  the  same  to  pay  over  to  Miss  Barton  the  sum  mentioned  in 
it  for  the  uses  and  purposes  therein  set  forth: 

March  10,  1866. 
A  resolution  providing  for  expenses  incurred  in  searching  for  missing  soldiers  of  the  Army  of  the 
United  States,  and  for  further  prosecution  of  the  same. 

H^hereas,  Miss  Clara  Barton  has,  during  the  late  war  of  the  rebellion,  expended  from  her  own 
resources  large  sums  of  money  in  endeavoring  to  discover  missing  soldiers  of  the  armies  of  the 
United  States,  and  in  communicating  intelligence  to  their  relatives;  therefore. 

Resolved  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United  States  of  America  in  Congress 
assembled.  That  the  sum  of  fifteen  thousand  dollars  be,  and  the  same  is  hereby  appropriated  out 
of  any  moneys  in  the  Treasury  not  otherwise  appropriated,  to  reimburse  Miss  Clara  Barton  for 


THE  CONVENTION  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES.  79 

Then,  being  in  Europe  at  the  time  of  the  French  and  German  war,  she  r.gain 
flew  to  the  battlefield.  Returning  at  last  to  her  own  country  with  entecbled 
health,  she  determined  to  give  what  strength  remained  to  her  to  the  service  of  the 
Red  Cross,  and  took  for  her  task  to  plead  its  cause  with  the  influential  men  of  the 
American  government.  Quitting  her  home  at  Dansville,  she  passed  long  months 
at  Wasliington  to  carry  conviction  to  the  minds  of  the  President,  of  his  ministers, 
of  members  of  Congress,  writing  for  the  journals,  publishing  pamphlets  to  .spread 
the  ideas  the  triumph  of  which  she  had  at  heart.  She  had  need  of  mucb  perse- 
verance and  energy  to  avoid  renouncing  her  plan,  for  she  waited  long  before  finding 
a  favorable  opportunity.  It  was  not  until  the  accession  of  President  Garfield  that 
she  could  catch  a  glimpse  of  success.  She  then  found  in  the  Chief  Magistrate  of 
the  nation  a  man  who  warmly  espoused  her  cause,  and  in  the  Secretary  of  State, 
Mr.  Blaine,  an  auxiliary  as  zealous  as  he  was  devoted.  We  have  seen  by  the 
quotation  which  we  have  borrowed  from  the  last  Presidential  messag;  that  Mr. 
Arthur  shares  the  sentiments  and  ideas  of  his  predecessor  on  the  subject  of  the 
Geneva  Convention,  and  it  is  hardly  probable  that  he  will  encounter  upon  this 
point  opposition  from  Congress. 

The  name  of  Miss  Barton  will  probably  not  figure  in  the  oflBcial  documents 
which  will  be  the  fruit  of  her  labors,  but  here,  where  we  have  entire  liberty  to 
render  homage  to  her  devotion,  we  are  happy  to  be  able  to  proclaim  her  imperish- 
able title  to  the  gratitude  of  the  Red  Cross. 

To  the  name  of  Miss  Barton  we  should  join  that  of  M.  Edouard  Seve,  who, 
after  having  rendered  important  service  to  the  Red  Cross  in  South  America,  where 
he  represented  Belgium  to  Chili,  has  continued  to  use  his  activity  in  favor  of  the 
same  cause  in  the  United  States  since  he  has  been  called  to  the  position  of  consul- 
general  at  Philadelphia.  His  efibrts  have  certain!}'  contributed  to  render  the 
Government  at  Washington  favorable  to  the  Geneva  Convention. 

The  preceding  article  was  already  printed  when  we  received  from  the  inde- 
fatigable Miss  Barton  a  new  pamphlet  upon  the  Red  Cross  and  the  Geneva  Con- 
vention. This  little  work  is  destined  to  initiate  the  Americans  into  the  origin  and 
histon,-of  the  work,  with  which  they  are  as  yet  but  imperfectly  acquainted,  and  for 
which  it  is  the  aspiration  of  the  author  to  awaken  their  interest ;  in  particular,  we 
find  there  the  confirmation  of  the  steps  of  which  we  have  spoken  above,  and  especi- 
ally the  text  of  the  two  letters  addressed  by  the  International  Committee,  one  on 

the  amount  so  expended  by  her,  and  to  aid  in  the  further  prosecution  of  the  search  for  missing 
soldiers,  and  the  printing  necessary  to  the  furtherance  of  the  said  object  shall  hereafter  be  done 
by  the  Public  Printer. 

Approved  March  lo,  1866. 
[14  Vol.  U.  S.  Statutes  at  Large,  p.  350.] 

This,  therefore,  was  not  recompense  for  services;  it  was  reimbur^jement  for  money  expended; 
it  was  money  expended  by  a  private  citizen  for  public  uses,  and  this,  mainly,  after  the  close  of 
the  war.  The  government  recognized  its  value  to  the  people,  and  refunded  the  money,  and  that 
without  solicitation  on  Miss  Barton's  part. 

This  work  was  a  fitting,  even  necessary,  result  of  her  four  years'  voluntary  and  unpsid 
8er\'iceson  the  field,  not  as  an  ordinary  nurse,  but  as  a  sort  of  independent  sanitary  commission, 
whom  the  government,  the  soldiers,  and  the  poeople  came  at  last  to  implicitly  trust,  for  they 
never  found  their  trust  betrayed  nor  themselves  disappointed  by  any  want  of  discretion,  sagacity, 
or  energy  on  her  part.  It  cannot  be  set  forth  here,  it  can  only  be  alluded  to  most  briefly.  In  its 
details  it  must  form  a  chapter  in  the  story  of  a  life  singularly  original,  successful,  and  beneficent. 
—  [Report  of  the  American  (National)  Association  of  the  Red  Cross  of       3] 


So  THE   RKD   CROSS. 

the  ninth  of  August,  1877,  to  President  Hayes,  the  other  on  the  thirteenth  of  June, 
to  Secretary  of  Stale  Blaine. 

The  pamphlet  which  we  have  announced  has  been  published  by  the  American 
National  Society  of  the  Re<l  Cross,  with  which  we  have  not  yet  had  occasion  to 
make  our  readers  acquainted.  This  society,  recently  established  at  the  suggestion 
of  Miss  Barton,  and  of  which  she  has  been  made  president,  is  only  waiting  for  the 
official  adhesion  of  the  United  States  to  the  Geneva  Convention  to  put  itself  in 
relation  with  the  societies  of  other  countries.  We  will  wait  until  then  to  speak  of 
it  aud  to  give  the  details  of  its  organization. 


ACCESSION  OF  THE    UNITED  STATES  TO  THE  TREATY  OF 
GENEVA  AND  TO  THE  ADDITIONAL  ARTICLES. 

On  the  first  day  of  March,  1882,  the  President,  by  his  signature, 
gave  the  accession  of  the  United  States  to  the  Treaty  of  Geneva  of  August 
22,  1864,  and  also  to  that  of  October  20,  1868,  and  transmitted  to  the 
Senate  the  following  message,  declaration,  and  proposed  adoption  of 
the  same: 

Message  from  the  President  of  the  United  States,  transmitting  an  acces- 
sio?i  of  the  United  States  to  the  Conventiofi  concluded  at  Geneva  on 
the  twenty-second  Atigust,  1864.,  betrveeyi  various  powers,  for  the 
amelioration  of  the  wounded  of  armies  in  the  field,  and  to  the 
additional  articles  thereto,  signed  at  Geneva  on  the  twentieth  October^ 
1S68. 

March  3,  1882.— Read;  accession  read  the  first  time  referred  to  the  Committee  on 
Foreign  Relations,  and,  together  with  the  message,  ordered  to  be  printed  in 
confidence,  for  the  use  of  the  Senate. 

March  16,  1882.— Ratified  and  injunction  of  secrecy  removed  thereform. 

To  the  Senate  of  the  United  Slates: 

I  transmit  to  the  Senate  for  its  action  thereon,  the  accession  of  the  United 
States  to  the  convention  concluded  at  Geneva  on  the  twenty-second  August,  1864, 
between  various  powers,  for  the  amelioration  of  the  wounded  of  armies  in  the  field, 
and  to  the  additional  articles  thereto,  signed  at  Geneva  on  the  twentieth  of 
October,  1868.  Chester  A.  Arthur. 

Washington,  March  3,  1SS2. 

Whereas,  on  the  twenty-second  day  of  August,  1864,  a  convention  was  con- 
cluded at  Geneva,  in  Switzerland,  between  the  Grand  Duchy  of  Baden  and  the 


ADHESION  TO  THE  TREATY.  8i 

Swiss  Confederation,  the  Kingdom  of  Belgium,  the  Kingdom  of  Denmark,  the 
Kingdom  of  Spain,  the  French  Knipire,  the  Grand  Duchy  of  Hesse,  the  Kingdom 
of  Itiily,  the  Kingdom  of  the  Netherlands,  the  Kingdom  of  Portugal,  the  Kingdom 
of  Prussia,  and  the  Kingdom  of  Wiirtemberg,  for  the  amelioration  of  the  wounded 
in  armies  in  the  field,  the  tenor  of  which  convention  is  as  follows: 

(See  treaty  and  additional  articles,  already  inserted.) 

Now,  therefore,  the  Presideiit  of  the  United  States  of  America,  by  and  with 
the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate,  hereby  declares  that  the  United  States  accede 
to  the  said  convention  of  the  twenty-second  August,  1864,  and  also  accede  to  the 
said  convention  of  October  20,  1868. 

Done  at  Washington  this  first  day  of  March  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thou- 
sand eight  hundred  and  eighty-two,  and  of  the  Independence  of  the  United  States 
the  one  hundred  and  sixth. 

(Seal.)  Chester  A.  Arthur. 

By  the  President. 
Fred'k  T.  Frelinghuysen, 

Secretary  of  State. 


The  same  day  the  president  of  the  American  Association  sent  by- 
cablegram  to  President  Moynier,  of  the  International  Committee  at 
Geneva,  the  glad  tidings  that  the  United  States  had  at  last  joined  in 
the  great  humane  work  of  the  world  by  ratifying  the  treaties  of  the 
Red  Cross;  and  on  the  twenty- fourth  of  the  same  month,  President 
Moynier  replied  as  follows: 


COMITE  aNTERNATIONAIv  de  Secours 

AUX   MiUTAIRES   BI.ESSES, 

Geneva,  March  24,  1882. 
Miss  Clara  Barton,  President  of  the  American  Society  of  the  Red  Cross,  IVash- 

ington: 

Mademoiselle:  At  last,  on  the  seventeenth  instant,  I  received  your  glorious 
telegram.  I  delayed  replying  to  it  in  order  to  connuunicate  its  contents  to  my  col- 
leagues of  the  International  Committee,  so  as  to  be  able  to  thank  you  in  the  name 
of  all  of  us  and  to  tell  you  of  the  joy  it  gives  us.  You  must  feel  happy  too,  and 
proud  to  have  at  last  attained  your  object,  thanks  to  a  perseverance  and  a  zeal  which 
surmounted  every  obstacle. 

Please,  if  opportunity  offers,  to  be  our  interpreter  to  President  Arthur  and 
present  him  our  wannest  congratulations. 

I  suppose  your  government  will  now  notify  the  Swiss  Federal  Council  of  its 
decision  in  the  matter,  and  the  latter  will  then  inform  the  other  Powers  which 
have  signed  the  Red  Cross  Treaty. 

Only  after  this  formality  shall  have  been  complied  with  can  we  occupy  ourselves 
with  fixing  the  official  international  status  of  your  American  society.  We  have, 
however,  already  considered  the  circular  which  we  intend  to  address  to  all  the 
societies  of  the  Red  Cross,  and  with  regard  thereto  we  have  found  that  it  will  be 


82  TIIK   RKD   CROSS. 

necessary  for  us  as  a  preliminary  measure  to  be  furuished  with  a  document  certi- 
fyiii){  that  the  American  society  has  attained  the  second  of  its  objects,  /.  e.,  that  it 
has  been  (»>fncially)  recognized  by  the  American  Government. 

It  is  imjwrtant  that  we  be  able  to  certify  that  your  government  is  prepared  to 
accept  your  services  in  case  of  war,  that  it  will  readily  enter  into  co-operation 
with  you,  and  will  encourage  the  centralization  under  your  direction  of  all  the 
voluntary  aid.  We  have  no  doubt  that  you  will  readily  obtain  from  the  competent 
authorities  an  official  declaration  to  that  effect,  and  we  believe  that  this  matter 
will  be  merely  a  formality,  but  ive  attach  the  greatest  i>nportance  to  the  fact  in 
order  to  cover  our  responsibility,  especially  in  view  of  Ihc pretensions  of  rival 
societies  which  might  claim  to  be  acknowledged  by  us. 

It  is  your  society  alone  and  none  other  that  we  will  recognize,  because  it 
inspires  us  with  confidence,  and  lue  would  be  placed  in  a  false  position  if  you 
failed  to  obtain  for  it  a  privileged  position  by  a  formal  recognition  by  the 
government. 

We  hope  that  you  will  appreciate  the  motives  of  caution  which  guide  us  in 
this  matter,  and  that  you  may  soou  enable  us  to  act  in  the  premises. 

Wishing  to  testify  to  you  its  gratitude  for  the  services  you  have  already  ren- 
dered to  the  Red  Cross,  the  committee  decided  to  offer  to  you  one  of  the  medals 
which  a  German  engraver  caused  to  be  struck  off  in  1S70  in  honor  of  the  Red 
Cross.  It  will  be  sent  to  you  in  a  few  days.  It  is  of  very  small  intrinsic  value 
indeed,  but,  such  as  it  is,  we  have  no  other  means  of  recompensing  the  most 
meritorious  of  our  assistants.  Please  to  regard  it  only  as  a  simple  memorial,  and 
as  a  proof  of  the  esteem  and  gratitude  we  feel  for  you. 

Accept,  mademoiselle,  the  assurance  of  my  most  distinguished  sentiments. 

G.  MoYNiER,  President. 


The  requirements  contained  in  the  foregoing  letter,  in  regard  to 
the  recognition  of  the  American  Association  of  the  Red  Cross,  were 
fully  and  generously  complied  with  by  the  various  branches  of  the 
Government  of  the  United  States,  and  the  documents  conveying  the 
ofi&cial  recognition  were  transmitted  by  the  Honorable  Secretary  of 
State  to  the  American  consul  at  Geneva,  with  instructions  to  deliver 
them  to  the  International  Committee. 

The  following  is  the  proclamation  by  President  Arthur  announc- 
ing to  the  people  the  adoption  by  the  United  States  of  the  Treaty  of 
Geneva,  and  the  Additional  Articles  concerning  the  Navy: 


Copyright,  1898,  by  Clara  Barton. 

SOME  RED  CROSS  DECORATIONS  PRESENTED  TO  CLARA  BARTON. 

The  Iron  Cross  of  Merit  presented  by  Emperor  William  I.  and  Empress 
Augusta,  in  recogtiition  of  services  in  the  Franco-German  War  of  iSjo-ji. 
The  Geneva  Medal  of  Honor  presented  by  the  ComitS  International  in  recog- 
nition  of  services  in  securing  the  adhesion  of  the  United  States  to  the  treaty  of 
the  Red  Cross.      The  Servian  Red  Cross  presented  by  Queen  Natali  of  Servia. 


opyright,  KS98,  by  Clara  Barton. 

CHRONOLOGICAL  HISTORIC  TREE. 
Showing  the  development  of  the  Red  Cross  during  the  first  twenty-five  years  of 
its  existence.  The  City  of  Geneva,  its  origin.  The  central  branch  represents 
the  ivork  of  the  Coniite  International.  The  right  branch  the  formation  of  the 
national  societies  or  committees.  The  left  branch  the  date  of  adhesion  to  the 
treaty  by  the  various  nations. 


A   PROCI.AMATION.  85 


By  the  President  of  the  United  States  of  America: 

A  PROCLAMATION. 

Whereas,  on  the  twenty-second  day  of  August,  1864,  a  convention  was  con- 
cluded at  Geneva,  in  Switzerland,  between  the  Grand  Duchy  of  Baden  and  the 
Swiss  Confederation,  the  Kingdom  of  Belgium,  the  Kingdom  of  Denmark,  the  King- 
dom of  Spain,  the  French  limpire,  the  Grand  Duchy  of  Hesse,  the  Kingdom  of 
Italy,  the  Kingdom  of  the  Netherlands,  the  Kingdom  of  Portugal,  the  Kingdom 
of  Prussia,  and  the  Kingdom  of  Wiirtemberg,  for  the  amelioration  of  the 
wounded  in  armies  in  the  field,  the  tenor  of  which  convention  is  hereinafter 
subjoined: 

And  whereas,  the  several  contracting  parties  to  the  said  convention  exchanged 
the  ratification  thereof  at  Geneva  on  the  twenty-second  day  of  June,  1865; 

And  whereas,  the  several  states  hereinafter  named  have  adhered  to  the  said 
convention  in  virtue  of  Article  IX.  thereof,  to  wit: 

Sweden,  December  13,  1864;  Greece,  January  5-17,  1865;  Great  Britain, 
February  iS,  1865;  Mecklenburg-Schwerin,  March  9,  1865;  Turkey,  July  5,  1865; 
Wiirtemberg,  June  22,  1866;  Hesse,  June  2,  1866;  Bavaria,  June  30,  1866;  Austria, 
July  21,  1866;  Persia,  Decembers,  1S74;  Salvador,  December  30,  1874;  Montenegro, 
November  17-29,  1875;  Servia,  March  24,  1S76;  Bolivia,  October  16,  1879;  Chili, 
November  15,  1879;  Argentine  Republic,  November  25,  1879;  Peru,  April  22,  1880. 

And  whereas,  the  Swiss  Confederation,  in  virtue  of  the  said  Article  IX.  of  said 
convention,  has  invited  the  United  States  of  America  to  accede  thereto; 

And  whereas,  on  the  twentieth  October,  1868,  the  following  additional  articles 
were  proposed  and  signed  at  Geneva,  on  behalf  of  Great  Britain,  Au.stria,  Baden, 
Bavaria,  Belgium,  Denmark,  France,  Italy,  Netherlands,  North  Germany,  Sweden 
and  Norway,  Switzerland,  Turkey  and  Wiirtemberg,  the  tenor  of  which  Additional 
Articles  is  hereinafter  subjoined  (see  page  74); 

And  whereas,  the  President  of  the  United  States  of  America,  by  and  with  the 
advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate,  did,  on  the  first  day  of  March,  one  thousand 
eight  hundred  and  eighty-two,  declare  that  the  United  States  accede  to  the  said 
convention  of  the  twenty-second  of  August,  1864,  and  also  accede  to  the  said  con- 
vention of  October  20,  1868  ; 

And  whereas,  on  the  ninth  day  of  June,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and 
eighty-two,  the  Federal  Council  of  the  Swiss  Confederation,  in  virtue  of  the  final 
provision  of  a  certain  minute  of  the  exchange  of  the  ratifications  of  the  said  con- 
vention at  Berne,  December  22,  1864,  did,  by  a  formal  declaration,  accept  the  said 
adhesion  of  the  United  States  of  America,  as  well  in  the  name  of  the  Swiss  Con- 
federation as  in  that  of  the  other  contracting  states  ; 

And  whereas,  furthermore,  the  Government  of  the  Swiss  Confederation  has 
informed  the  Government  of  the  United  States  that  the  exchange  of  the  ratifica- 
tions of  the  aforesaid  Additional  Articles  of  the  twentieth  October,  1S6S,  to  which 
the  United  States  of  America  have,  in  like  manner,  adhered  as  aforesaid,  has  not 


86  THK   RED   CROSS. 

yet  taken  place  between  the  contracting,'  jiarties,  and  that  these  articles  cannot  be 
regarded  as  a  treaty  in  full  force  and  effect  ; 

Now,  therefore,  l)e  it  known  that  I,  Chester  A.  Arthur,  President  of  the  United 
suites  of  America,  have  caused  the  said  Convention  Treaty  of  August  22,  1864,  to 
be  made  public,  to  the  end  that  the  same  and  every  article  and  clause  thereof  may 
be  observed  and  fulfilled  with  good  faith  by  the  United  States  and  the  citizens 
thereof;  reserving,  however,  the  promulgation  of  the  hereinbefore  mentioned 
Additional  Articles  of  October  20,  186S,  notwithstanding  the  accession  of  the 
United  States  of  America  thereto,  until  the  exchange  of  the  ratifications  thereof 
between  the  several  contracting  states  shall  have  been  effected,  and  the  said 
Additional  Articles  shall  have  acquired  full  force  and  effect  as  an  international 
treaty. 

In  witness  whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand,  and  caused  the  seal  of  the 
United  States  to  be  affixed. 

Done  at  the  city  of  Washington,  this  twenty-sixth  day  of  July,  in  the  year  of 
our  Ivord  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  eighty-two,  and  of  the  Independence  of 
the  United  States  the  one  hundred  and  seventh. 

(L.S.)  Chester  A.  Arthur. 

By  the  President. 
Fred'k  T.  Freunghuysen, 

Secretary  of  State. 

United  States  of  America,  Department  of  State,  to  all  to  ivhom  these  presents 

shall  come,  greeting: 

I  certify  that  the  foregoing  is  a  true  copy  of  the  original  on  file  in  the  Depart- 
ment of  State. 

In  testimony  whereof  I,  John  Davis,  Acting  Secretary  of  State  of  the  United 
States,  have  hereunto  subscribed  my  name  and  caused  the  seal  of  the  Department 
of  State  to  be  affixed. 

Done  at  the  city  of  Washington,  this  ninth  day  of  August,  A.  D.  1882,  and  of 
the  Independence  of  the  United  States  of  America  the  one  hundred  and  seventh. 

(L.S.)  John  Davis. 

Thus  was  the  American  branch  of  the  Red  Cross  welcomed  into 
the  fellowship  of  kindred  associations  in  thirty-one  other  nations,  the 
most  prosperous  and  civilized  on  the  globe,  its  position  assured,  and  its 
future  course  made  simple,  direct  and  untroubled. 

The  official  bulletin  of  the  International  Committee  also  hailed  the 
accession  of  the  United  States  to  the  treaty,  in  an  article  of  character- 
istic caution  and  of  great  significance.  In  that  article,  which  is  quoted 
in  full  hereafter,  the  distinction  was  carefully  pointed  out  between  that 
wliich  had  already  been  fully  agreed  to,  and  had  become  invested  with 
all  the  force  and  solemnity  of  international  treaties,  and  the  proposed 
amendment  which  had  been  drawn  up  and  considered  with  a  view  to 
ultimate  adoption.    This  proposed  amendment  had  received  the  sanction 


ADHESION   OF   THE    UNITED   STATES.  8? 

and  signatures  of  the  International  Committee  at  Geneva,  without 
ever  having  been  formally  adopted  by  any  nation.  The  United  States 
had,  at  the  same  moment  adopted  both,  thus  becoming  the  thirty- 
second  nation  to  adhere  to  the  treaty  of  August  22,  1864,  and  the  first 
to  adopt  the  proposed  amendment  of  October  20,  1868. 

[fnteinaliona!  BuUelin  for  April,  /5&.] 
ADHESION  OF  THE  UNITED   STATP:s  TO  THE   CONVENTION  OF  GENEVA. 

Referring  to  the  article  inserted  in  our  preceding  bulletin,  p.  42,  we  are  happy 
to  be  able  to  announce  that  the  act  of  adhesion  which  we  presented  was  signed  at 
Washington  the  sixteenth  of  March,  in  pursuance  of  a  vote  by  which  the  members 
of  the  Senate  gave  their  approval  with  unanimity.  Our  readers  will  doubtless  bt 
surprised,  as  we  are,  that  after  the  long  and  systematic  resistance  of  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  United  States  against  rallying  to  the  Convention  of  Geneva,  thert 
cannot  be  found  in  the  American  legislature  a  single  representative  of  the  opposi- 
tion.  So  complete  a  reversal  of  opinion  cannot  be  explained,  unless  we  admi( 
that  the  chief  officers  of  the  nation  had  cherished,  up  to  the  present  time,  preju- 
dices  in  regard  to  the  Convention  of  Geneva — prejudices  which  vanished  as  soon 
as  they  fully  comprehended  what  was  expected  of  them,  and  recognized  that 
there  was  nothing  compromising  in  it  to  the  political  condition  of  their  country. 

With  the  zeal  of  new  converts,  they  have  even  gone  beyond  the  mark,  inas- 
much as  they  have  voted  their  adhesion  not  only  to  the  convention  of  the  twenty- 
second  of  August,  1864,  but  also  to  the  plan  of  Additional  Articles  of  the  twentieth 
of  October,  1868,  which  was  not  the  matter  in  question,  since  they  had  never  had 
the  force  of  law;  we  give  this  news  only  under  every  reserve,  because  we  have 
received  contradictory  information  on  the  subject.  If  this  defect  in  form  is  found 
in  the  official  document  which  will  be  sent  to  the  Swiss  Federal  Council  one  could 
fear  it  might  retard  the  so  nmch  desired  conclusion  of  this  important  affair,  but  it 
need  not  be  too  much  regretted,  since  it  will  enable  us  to  understand  the  opinion 
of  the  great  Transatlantic  Republic  upon  maritime  questions  as  they  relate  to  the 
Red  Cross. 

The  action  of  the  United  States,  mentioned  in  this  article,  was 
perhaps  somewhat  characteristic.  It  seemed  to  give  itself  to  the  move- 
ment of  the  Red  Cross  witli  a  gracious  earnestness  seldom  seen  in  the 
cautious  forms  of  diplomatic  action,  and  it  certainly  was  in  very 
decided  contrast  with  its  former  hesitancy. 

No  doubt  could  now  rest  in  any  mind  that  the  adhesion  of  the 
United  States  was,  at  last,  hearty  and  sincere,  and  calculated  to  allay 
any  distrust  which  its  former  isolation  and  declination  of  the  treaty 
might  have  anj'where  engendered. 

This  action  of  the  Government  of  the  United  States  also  rendered 
the  position  of  the  National  Association  exceptionally  satisfactory,  and 


88  THE   RKD   CROSS. 

introduced  it  to  the  International  Committee  at  Geneva  and  all  the 
affiliated  societies  under  circumstances  calculated  to  promote  in  the 
greatest  degree  its  usefulness  and  harmony,  and  to  add  to  the  gratifica- 
tion of  all  who  personally  have  any  part  in  the  operations  of  the 
American  Association. 

For  all  this  it  is  indebted  to  the  judicious  and  thoughtful  care  and 
exalted  statesmanship  of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  his  cabinet 
and  advisers,  and  the  members  of  the  Forty-seventh  Congress,  who, 
without  one  breath  of  criticism,  or  one  moment  of  delay,  after  they 
came  to  fully  understand  "the  subject  and  comprehend  its  purposes  and 
object,  granted  all  that  was  then  asked  of  them,  in  the  adhesion  to  the 
treaties,  in  the  recognition  of  the  National  Association,  and  the  provisions 
for  printing  and  disseminating  a  knowledge  of  its  principles  and 
practical  work. 

Perhaps  no  act  of  this  age  or  country  has  reflected  more  credit 
abroad  upon  those  specially  active  in  it,  than  this  simple  and  beneficent 
measure.  It  must,  in  its  great  and  humane  principles,  its  far-reaching 
philanthropy,  its  innovations  upon  the  long  established  and  accepted 
customs  and  rules  of  barbaric  cruelty,  its  wise  practical  charity,  stand 
forever  next  to  the  immortal  proclamation  of  freedom  to  the  slaves  that 
crowns  the  name  of  Abraham  Lincoln. 

Special  thanks  are  peculiarly  due  to  those  who  have  been  its  active, 
wise  and  unwavering  friends,  who  have  planned  its  course  so  truly, 
and  set  forth  its  purposes  so  clearly,  that  it  will  hereafter  be  misunder- 
stood only  by  those  who  are  unwilling  to  learn,  or  who  are  actively 
hostile  to  its  beneficent  aims. 

Perhaps  at  the  risk  of  seeming  invidious — for  we  would  by  no 
means  ignore,  and  have  no  less  gratitude  for  the  legion  of  generous 
helpers  we  cannot  name — we  might  state  that  among  those  who  have 
been  foremost  to  aid  and  encourage  us  have  been  the  Hon.  Omar  D. 
Conger,  of  Michigan,  who,  first  in  the  House,  and  afterward  in  the 
Senate,  has  been  conspicuous  for  persistent  and  courageous  work  ;  also, 
Hon.  William  Windom,  of  Minnesota,  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on 
Foreign  Affairs,  who  was  first  to  investigate  and  take  the  matter  up 
as  a  member  of  President  Garfield's  cabinet ;  Senator  E.  P.  Lapham, 
of  New  York,  who  has  spared  neither  time  nor  thought,  patience  nor 
labor,  in  his  legal  investigations  of  the  whole  matter ;  and  probably  no 
person  has  done  more  than  he  to  throw  light  upon  obscure  parts  and 
point  out  the  true  and  proper  course  to  be  pursued  in  the  accomplish- 
ment of  the  work,  and  the  acceptance  of  the  treaty.     Senators  Morgan, 


ADHESION    OF   THE  UNITED   STATES.  89 

of  Alabama;  Edmunds,  of  Vermont ;  Hawley,  of  Connecticut;  Anthony, 
of  Rhode  Island ;  Hoar,  of  Massachusetts,  all  accorded  to  it  their 
willing  interest  and  aid.  Indeed,  all  sections  and  parties  have  seemed 
eager  to  help  the  Red  Cross;  a  result  that  might,  perhaps,  have  been 
anticipated,  since  it  asks  only  an  opportunity  to  faithfully  work  according 
to  methods  approved  by  thoughtful  experience,  and  toward  ends  that 
all  humane  persons  must  approve. 

To  the  American  newspaper  press,  and  perhaps  to  the  New  York 
Herald  more  than  to  any  other  newspaper,  through  its  international 
character,  wonderful  enterprise,  and  far-reaching  circulation,  the  Red 
Cross  is  indebted  for  timely  aid  and  noble  furtherance  of  its  objects  and 
aims.  It  has  been  quick  to  discern  their  substantial  character,  and 
generous  and  full  in  commending  them.  Still,  the  same  difficulty  con- 
fronts us  in  regard  to  publications  as  persons — where  all  have  been  so 
willing  it  is  difficult  to  distinguish.  Not  less  than  three  hundred  peri- 
odicals and  papers  have,  within  the  last  two  years,  laid  upon  our  desk 
their  graceful  tribute  of  encouraging  and  fitly  spoken  words,  and  it  has 
been  given  as  an  estimate  of  an  experienced  city  editor,  gathered 
through  his  exchanges,  that  over  five  hundred  editorial  notices  were 
given  of  our  little  Red  Cross  book  of  last  year,  and  these,  invariably, 
so  far  as  met  our  eyes,  kindly  approving  and  encouraging.  The 
capacity  of  the  Red  Cross  to  carry  on  most  wisely  and  well  its  benefi- 
cent work  must  in  the  future,  as  it  has  done  in  the  past,  depend 
largely  upon  the  active  and  cordial  co-operation  of  the  newspaper 
press;  and  we  do  not  doubt  that  it  will  continue  to  receive  the 
same  prompt  and  efficient  assistance  so  long  as  it  shall  continue  to 
deserve  it. 

By  the  combined  assistance  of  all  these  powerful  friends  of  the  Red 
Cross,  the  country  has  at  last  been  rescued  from  the  position  in  which  it 
had  been  standing  for  the  last  seventeen  years — a  puzzling  wonder  to  its 
admiring  friends,  a  baffling  enigma  to  all,  treating  its  enemies  subdued 
with  romantic  generosity,  and  its  enemies  taken  captive  in  war  with  all 
the  tenderness  of  friends,  and  yet,  clinging,  apparently  with  intense  fierce- 
ness, to  an  unsocial  isolation,  to  savage  rules  and  regulations  of  war 
that  only  barbarians  would  ever  wish  to  practice,  pouring  out  its 
beneficence  in  astonishing  prodigality,  and  in  untold  volume,  variety 
and  value  upon  strangers,  and  yet  seemingly  hesitating  only  when  it 
was  proposed  by  international  law  and  system  to  use  and  not  waste  its 
magnificent  voluntary  offerings,  but  to  entrust  them  all  to  responsible 
agents,   trained  in  the  very  torrent  and  tempest  of  battle,  to  wisely 


90  TIIH    RKD   CROSS. 

apply  this  generosity  to  tlie  great  and  awful  needs  of  war — agents  held 
to  lousiness  rules,  with  calm  accountability  amid  distraction  and  panic, 
trained  to  protect  material,  to  give  and  take  receipts,  and  at  last  to 
account  faithfully  for  everything  entrusted  to  them,  like  the  officers  of 
a  well-regulated  bank. 

The  final  adhesion  of  the  United  States  to  the  treaty  of  the  Red 
Cross  has  created  a  lively  sense  of  satisfaction  in  all  its  affiliated 
societies  wherever,  throughout  the  world,  its  beneficent  work  is  carried 
on ;  particularly,  by  the  International  Committee  of  Geneva,  has  this 
wise  and  simple  act  of  beneficence  and  common  sense  and  common 
humanity  been  regarded  with  sentiments  of  gratitude  and  renewed 
hope.  The  American  National  Association  has  received  the  following 
expression  of  the  sentiments  of  the  noble  and  philanthropic  president 
of  the  International  Committee,  written  upon  the  receipt  from  the 
United  States  of  the  official  documents  of  recognition  : 


COMITE  INTEK NATIONAL  DE  SECOURS 

Aux  MiLiTAiREs  Blesses, 

Geneva,  September  6,  1882. 
Miss  Clara  Barton,  Washington ,  D.  C: 

Mademoiselle:  I  come  to  thank  and  congratulate  you  cordially  upon  your 
new  success.  I  have  read  your  letters  of  the  i  ith  and  14th  with  the  most  lively 
interest,  and  I  have  also  received,  through  the  medium  of  the  United  States  consul 
at  Geneva,  all  the  official  documents  which  you  have  announced  to  me. 

The  position  of  your  society  is  now  entirely  [tout  a  fait)  correct,  and  nothing 
more  opposes  itself;  so  that  by  a  circular  we  can  now  make  it  known  to  the  socie- 
ties of  other  countries.  I  am  already  occupied  in  the  preparation  of  this  document, 
but  I  am  obliged  to  leave  for  Turin,  where  I  go  to  attend  the  reunion  of  the  Inter- 
national Institute  of  Law,  and  it  will  not  be  until  my  return,  say  about  the  twen- 
tieth of  vSeptember,  thit  I  can  press  the  printing  of  the  circular.  In  any  case,  it 
will  be  ready  before  the  end  of  the  month. 

Accept,  mademoiselle,  the  assurance  of  my  distinguished  sentiments. 

G.  MoYNiER,  President. 


The  circular  alluded  to  in  this  letter  of  M.  Moynier  announces  the 
adhesion  of  the  United  States  to  the  great  international  compact  of  the 
Red  Cross,  and  authenticates  and  opens  the  way  for  the  voluntary 
action  of  the  people  and  the  government  in  international  humanitarian 
action,  through  the  medium  of  the  American  Association  of  the  Red 
Cross,  and  is  in  the  following  terms: 


INTERNATIONAL   CIRCULAR.  91 


INTERNATIONAL   COMMITTEE.        FOUNDATION   OF  THE   AMERICAN 
SOCIETY   OF   THE   RED    CROSS. 

Fiftieth  Circular  to  the  Presidents  and    Mkmijers  of  the   National 
Central    Committers. 

Geneva,  September  2,  1882. 

Gentlemen:  When  on  the  twenty-third  of  August,  1876,  we  announced  to 
you  by  our  thirty-fourth  circular,  that  the  American  society  for  aid  to  the  wounded 
had  had  only  an  ephemeral  existence,  and  had  finished  by  dissolution,  we  still 
entertained  the  hope  of  seeing  it  revive,  and  we  asked  the  friends  of  the  Red 
Cross  to  labor  with  us  for  its  resuscitation. 

To-day  we  have  the  great  satisfaction  of  being  able  to  tell  you  that  this  appeal 
has  been  heard,  and  that  the  United  States  is  again  linked  anew  to  the  chain  of 
our  societies. 

Nevertheless  it  is  not  the  old  association  which  has  returned  to  life.  That 
which  we  present  to  you  at  this  time  has  a  special  origin  upon  which  we  ought  to 
give  you  some  details. 

Its  whole  history  is  associated  with  a  name  already  known  to  you,  that  of  Miss 
Clara  Barton.  Without  the  energy  and  perseverance  of  this  remarkable  woman  we 
should  probably  not  for  a  long  time  have  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  the  Red  Cross 
revived  in  the  United  States.  We  will  not  repeat  here  what  we  have  said  elsewhere 
of  the  clahns  of  Miss  Barton  to  our  gratitude,  and  we  will  confine  ourselves  to 
mentioning  what  she  has  done  to  reconstruct  a  Red  Cross  society  in  North 
America. 

After  having  prepared  the  ground  by  divers  publications,  she  called  together 
a  great  meeting  at  Washington  on  the  twenty-first  of  May,  1881;  then  a  second, 
on  the  ninth  of  June,  at  which  the  existence  of  the  society  was  solemnly  set  forth. 
On  the  same  day  President  Garfield  nominated  Miss  Barton  as  president  of  this 
institution. 

The  International  Committee  would  have  desired  from  that  time  to  have  given 
notice  of  the  event  to  all  the  central  committees,  but  certain  scruples  restrained  it. 

Remembering  that  the  first  American  society  had  been  rendered  powerless  by 
the  distinct  refusal  of  the  cabinet  at  Washington  to  adhere  to  the  Geneva  Conven- 
tion, it  took  precaution  and  declared  it  would  wait,  before  recognizing  the  young 
society,  until  the  government  should  have  regularly  signed  the  treaty  of  1864. 
Miss  Barton,  understanding  the  special  propriety  of  this  requirement,  redoubled 
her  eCForts  to  attain  this  end,  and  we  know  that  on  the  first  of  March  she  gained  a 
complete  victory  upon  this  point. 

There  remained  another  question  with  respect  to  which  the  International 
Committee  did  not  feel  itself  sufficiently  informed.  Just  how  far  was  the  Amer- 
ican Government  disposed  to  accept  the  services  of  this  .society?  We  have 
often  said,  and  we  repeat  it,  that  a  society  which  would  be  exposed,  for  the  want 
of  a  previous  understanding,  to  find  itself  forbidden  access  to  its  own  army  incase 
of  war,  would  be  at  fault  fundamentally,  and  would  not  be  qualified  to  take  its 
place  in  the  International  concert.     Further  upon  this  point  Mi.ss  Barton  and  the 


92  THE   RED   CROSS. 

members  of  the  American  Central  Committee,  sought  to  enter  into  our  views. 
They  conferred  with  the  competent  authorities.  The  desired  recognition  was  very 
difficult  to  obtain,  for  it  was  contrary  to  American  customs  and  traditions.  It  was, 
nevertheless,  accomplished  after  considerable  discussion.  On  this  point  Miss 
Barton  has  stated  to  us  that  the  s^overnment,  in  acquiescing  in  the  decision  which 
had  been  expressed,  was  entering  upon  a  path  altogether  new,  and  that  the  official 
recognition  of  the  Red  Cross  Society  was  for  the  latter  a  very  exceptional  honor. 

Certain  documents  resulted  therefrom  which  have  been  communicated  to  us 
directly  by  the  Secretary  of  State,  at  Washington,  showing: 

1st.  That  the  American  Association  of  the  Red  Cross  has  been  legally  con- 
stituted by  ati  Act  of  Congress. 

2d.  That  President  Arlhur  has  declared  himself  in  full  sympathy  with  the 
work,  and  very  willingly  has  accepted  the  presidency  of  the  Board  of  Consultation. 

3d.  That  the  principal  meuibers  of  the  cabinet  have  consented  to  become 
members  of  a  board  of  trustees,  empowered  to  receive  subscriptions  and  to  hold 
the  funds  for  the  society. 

4th.  Finally,  that  Congress  unanimously,  without  discussion  or  opposition, 
has  voted  a  sum  of  one  thousand  dollars,  to  be  expended  by  the  government  in 
printed  matter,  designed  to  inform  the  people  of  the  United  States  of  the  oi]f.,ani- 
zation  of  the  Red  Cross.  The  initiation  of  this  last  measure  was  not  the  wo  k  of 
the  societ}'  but  of  the  Committee  on  Foreign  Relations  of  the  Senate  ;  consequ<jntly 
it  bears  witness  to  the  spontaneous  impulse  with  which  the  Houses  of  Congress 
came  into  accord  with  the  views  of  Miss  Barton. 

We  must  add  that  the  International  Committee  attaches  so  much  the  more 
importance  to  the  fact  that  this  society  took  an  official  position,  because  there  was 
created,  at  nearly  the  same  time  in  the  United  States,  two  other  institutions,  claim- 
ing to  pursue  a  similar  object,  but  of  which  the  Committee  of  Geneva  is  absolutely 
ignorant.  One,  called  "The  Woman's  National  Relief  Association,"  which  con- 
cerns itself  with  all  public  calamities,  among  other  things  with  the  calamities  of 
war,  but  more  especially  with  shipwrecks,  and  has  for  its  distinctive  emblem  a 
blue  anchor  ;  the  other  has  taken  the  name  of  "  The  Order  of  the  Red  Cross. "  Dr. 
James  Saunders  is  the  president  of  it,  with  the  title  "Supreme  Commander." 
This  order  proposes  to  organize  more  or  less  in  a  military  way  and  appears  desirous 
of  imitating  the  orders  of  chivalry  in  ancient  times. 

The  American  Central  Committee  of  the  Red  Cross  has  its  seat  at  Washington, 
but  has  already  founded  branches  in  other  localities,  at  Dansville,  Rochester, 
Syracuse,  etc.  Soon,  doubtless,  cities  of  the  first  class  will  also  take  their 
turn. 

We  will  give  in  our  next  bulletin  the  complete  text  of  the  constitution  and 
by-laws  of  the  American  society,  which,  as  will  be  seen,  has  not  believed  it  ought 
to  limit  its  program  to  assistance  in  case  of  war,  but  has  comprised  within  it,  in 
conformity  witli  a  suggestion  of  the  conference  at  Berlin,  the  other  great  calamities 
which  might  befall  the  country  and  its  inhabitants. 

As  for  ourselves,  we  have  greeted  with  joy  the  addition  of  the  United  States 
to  the  countries  already  enrolled  under  the  Red  Cross  ;  it  is  for  our  work  an  im- 
portant and  long  desired  reinforcement,  and  we  doubt  not  our  impressions  in  this 
regard  will  be  shared  by  the  twenty-eight  central  committees  to  which  we  address 
these  lines. 


PREPARATION  OF  HISTORY.  93 

We  also  hope  that  next  year  some  representatives  of  the  American  society 
will  cross  the  Atlantic  in  order  to  fraternize  with  the  delegates  of  the  other 
iiatitT.is,  who  will  certainly  he  happy  to  meet  thcni  at  the  conference  at  Vienna. 
Receive,  gentlemen,  the  assurances  of  our  distinguished  consideration. 
For  the  International  Committee  of  the  Red  Cross. 

President:     G.   Moynier. 
Secretary:     G.  Ador. 


The  foregoing  pages  deal  only  with  the  official  history  of  the 
Red  Cross  and  its  inauguration  in  this  country,  closing  with  the 
accession  of  the  United  States  to  the  Treaty  and  its  promulgation  in 
1882.  The  original  formation  of  the  Red  Cross  was  had  previous  to 
the  adoption  of  the  Treaty  by  the  government,  and,  indeed,  primarily 
for  that  very  purpose.  That  was  the  corner-stone  upon  which  rested 
the  entire  structure  of  the  Red  Cross  in  America  at  that  date,  and 
constituted  almost  entirely  the  work  undertaken  by  it  to  perform. 

During  the  first  ten  years  of  the  existence  of  the  organization  it 
had  accomplished  all  that  had  been  promised,  and  a  great  deal  more; 
and  had  proved  the  utility  of  its  work  on  almost  continuous  fields  of 
national  calamity  of  the  character  defined  in  the  "American  Ainend- 
ment  "  to  the  Treaty.  But  the  American  government  had  not  given 
the  Red  Cross  the  official  recognition  that  it  desired  and  was  entitled 
to;  and  it  could  not  take  its  appropriate  place  by  the  government  of 
which  it  was  so  eminently  a  part.  As  long  as  government  provides  for 
war,  so  long  must  it  recognize  its  adopted  twin  sister  of  peace,  the 
Red  Cross;  as  long  as  it  finds  it  necessary  to  deliberately  mutilate 
men,  so  long  should  it  take  part  in  healing  them. 

In  order  to  strengthen  the  organization,  and  make  its  influence 
more  widely  felt,  the  members  decided  to  adopt  a  plan  that  would 
enable  them  to  work  on  a  somewhat  broader  basis;  accordingly,  on 
April  17,  1893,  the  Red  Cross  was  reincorporated  and  has  continued 
its  labors  up  to  the  present  time  under  the  provisions  of  the  instrument 
a  copy  of  which  follows: 


94  THE  RED  CROSS. 

THE    RE-INCORPORATION    OF   THE   AMERICAN    NATIONAL 

RED  CROSS. 
Certificate  op  Incorporation  ok  the  American  Nationai.  Red  Cross. 

Kuow  all  men  by  these  presents,  that  we,  Clara  Barton,  Julian  B.  Hubt)ell, 
Steplien  E.  Barton,  Peter  V.  DeGraw  and  George  Kennan,  all  being  persons  of  fnll 
age,  citizens  of  the  United  States,  and  a  majority  residents  of  the  District  of 
Columbia,  being  desirous  of  forming  an  association  to  carry  on  the  benevolent  and 
humane  work  of  "The  Red  Cross"  in  accordance  with  the  Articles  of  the  Inter- 
national Treaty  of  Geneva,  Switzerland,  entered  into  on  the  twenty-second  day  of 
August,  1S64,  and  adopted  by  the  Government  of  the  United  States  on  the  first  day 
of  March,  1SS2,  and  also  in  accordance  with  the  broader  scope  given  to  the  humane 
work  of  said  treaty  by  "  The  American  Association  of  the  Red  Cross,"  and  known 
as  "The  American  Amendment,"  whereby  the  suffering  incident  to  great  floods, 
famines,  epidemics,  conflagrations,  cyclones,  or  other  disasters  of  national  magni- 
tude, may  be  ameliorated  by  the  administering  of  necessary  relief;  and  being 
desirous  of  continuing  the  noble  work  heretofore  performed  by  "  The  American 
Association  of  the  Red  Cross,"  incorporated  in  the  District  of  Columbia  for  the 
purpose  of  securing  the  adoption  of  the  said  Treaty  of  Geneva  by  the  United  States, 
for  benevolent  and  charitable  purposes,  and  to  co-operate  with  the  Comite  Inter- 
national de  Secours  aux  Militaires  Blesses. 

Now,  therefore,  for  the  purpose  of  creating  ourselves,  our  associates  and 
successors,  a  body  politic  and  corporate  in  name  and  in  fact,  we  do  hereby 
associate  ourselves  together  under  and  by  virtue  of  sections  545,  546,  547,  548,  549 
and  550  of  the  Revised  Statutes  of  the  United  States  relating  to  the  District  of 
Columbia,  as  amended  and  in  force  at  this  time  ;  and  do  make,  sign  and  acknowl- 
edge this  Certificate  of  Incorporation,  as  follows,  to  wit  : 

First. — The  name  by  which  this  association  shall  be  known  in  law  is  :  "The 
American  National  Red  Cross." 

Second. — The  principal  office  of  the  association  shall  be  in  the  City  of 
Washington,  District  of  Columbia. 

Third.  — '^h^  term  of  its  existence  shall  be  fifty  years  from  the  date  of  this 
certificate. 

Fourth. — The  objects  of  this  association  shall  be,  iu  addition  to  the  purposes 
set  forth  in  the  above  preamble,  as  follows,  to  wit  : 

1.  To  garner  the  store  materials,  articles,  supplies,  monej's,  or  property  of 
whatsoever  name  or  nature,  and  to  maintain  a  system  of  national  relief  and  admin- 
ister the  same  in  the  mitigation  of  human  suffering  incident  to  war,  pestilence, 
famine,  flood,  or  other  calamities. 

2.  To  hold  itself  in  readiness  for  communicating  and  co-operating  with  the 
Government  of  the  United  States,  or  any  Department  thereof,  or  with  the  "Comite 
International  de  Secours  aux  Militaires  Blesses,"  of  Geneva,  Switzerland,  to  the 
end  that  the  merciful  provisions  of  the  said  "  International  Treaty  of  Geneva  " 
may  be  more  wisely  and  effectually  carried  out. 

3.  To  collect  and  diffuse  information  concerning  the  progress  and  application 
of  mercy,  the  organization  of  national  relief,  the  advancement  of  sanitary  science 
and  the  training  and  preparation  of  nurses  or  others  necessary  in  the  application 
of  such  work. 


RE-INCORPORATION.  95 

4.  To  carry  on  and  transact  any  business,  consistent  with  law,  that  may  be 
rtecessary  or  desirable  in  the  fulfillment  of  any  or  all  of  the  objects  and  purposes 
hereinbefore  set  forth. 

5.  The  affairs  and  funds  of  the  corporation  shall  be  controlled  and  managed 
by  a  Board  of  Directors,  and  the  number  of  the  directors  for  the  first  year  of  the 
corporation's  existence,  and  until  their  successors  are  lawfully  elected  and  quali- 
fied, is  five,  and  their  names  and  addresses  are  as  follows,  to  wit: 

Clara  Barton,  Washington,  D.  C;  Peter  V.  DeGraw,  Washington,  D,  C;  Dr. 
Julian  B.  Hubbell,  Washington,  D.  C;  Dr.  Joseph  Gardner,  Bedford,  Ind.,  and 
Stephen  E.  Barton,  Newtonville,  Mass. 

The  names  and  addresses  of  the  full  membership  of  the  association,  who  shall 
be  designated  as  charter  members,  are  as  follows,  to  wit: 

Clara  Barton,  Washington,  D.  C;  Hon.  William  Lawrence,  Bellefontaine, 
Ohio;  Peter  V.  DeGraw,  Washington,  D.  C;  George  Kennan,  Washington,  D.  C. 
Dr.  Julian  B.  Hubbell,  Washington,  D.  C. ;  Colonel  Richard  J.  Hinton,  Washing 
ton,  D.  C;  Mrs.  Henry  V.  Boynton,  Washington,  D.  C;  Rev.  Rush  R.  Shippen 
Washington,  D.  C. ;  Rev.  Alexander  Kent,  Washington,  D.  C. ;  Rev.  William  Mer 
ritt  Ferguson,  Washington,  D.  C. ;  General  Edward  W.  Whitaker,  Washington 
D.  C;  Joseph  E.  Holmes,  Washington,  D.  C;  Mrs.  Peter  V.  De  Graw,  Washington 
D.  C. ;  Mrs.  George  Kennan,  Washington,  D.  C. ;  Mrs.  R.  Delavan  Mussey,  Wash 
ington,  D.  C;  Mrs.  Omar  D.  Conger,  Washington,  D.  C. ;  A.  S.  Solomons,  Wash 
iugton,  D.  C;  Walter  P.  Phillips;  New  York,  N.  Y.;  Joseph  Sheldon,  New  Haven 
Conn.;  John  H.  Van  Wormer,  New  York,  N.  Y.;  Albert  C.  Phillips,  New  York 
N.  Y.;  Mrs.  Walter  P.  Phillips,  New  York,  N.  Y.;  Mrs.  Joseph  Gardner,  Bedford 
Ind.;  Dr.  Joseph  Gardner,  Bedford,  Ind.;  Miss  Mary  E.  Almon,  Newport,  R.  I. 
Dr.  Lucy  Hall-Brown,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.;  John  H.  Morlan,  Bedford,  Ind.,  and 
Stephen  E.  Barton,  Newtonville,  Mass.  But  the  corporation  shall  have  power  to 
increase  its  membership  in  accordance  with  by-laws  to  be  adopted. 

In  witness  whereof,  we  have  hereto  subscribed  our  names  and  affixed  our  seals 
in  triplicate,  at  the  City  of  Washington,  District  of  Columbia,  this  seventeenth 
day  of  April,  A.  D.  1893. 
Witness: 

Stephen  E.  Barton,    George  Kennan,  1 
Clara  Barton,  S.  G.  Hopkins,         I      ^g^^^  ^ 

Julian  B.  Hubbell,      F.  H.  Smith,  | 

P.  V.  DeGraw,  J 

I,  S.  G.  Hopkins,  a  Notary  Public  in  and  for  the  said  District  of  Columbia,  do 
hereby  certify  that  Clara  Barton,  Julian  B.  Hubbell.  Stephen  E.  Barton,  P.  V. 
DeGraw  and  George  Kennan,  whose  names  are  signed  to  the  foregoing  and 
annexed  "  Certificate  of  Incorporation  of  the  American  National  Red  Cross"  bear- 
ing date  of  April  17,  A.  D.  1S93,  personally  appeared  before  me,  in  the  said  District 
of  Columbia,  the  said  Clara  Barton,  Julian  B.  Hubbell,  Stephen  E.  Barton,  P.  V. 
DeGraw  and  George  Kennan,  being  personally  well  known  to  me  as  the  persons 
who  executed  the  said  certificate,  and  each  and  all  acknowledged  the  same  to  be 
his,  her  and  their  act  and  deed  for  the  purpose  therein  mentioned. 

Given  under  my  hand  and  official  seal,  this  seventeenth  day  of  April,  A.  D.  1893. 
(Signed. )  S.  G.  Hopkins,  Notary  Public. 


96  TIIK  RED  CROSS. 

Immediately  following  our  accession  to  the  Treaty  of  Geneva, 
March  i,  1882.  the  president  of  the  Red  Cross  was  asked  by  the 
Committee  on  Foreign  Relations  of  the  Senate,  to  prepare  a  history  of 
the  Red  Cross  for  publication  by  them  through  the  government  print- 
ing office.  This  was  done,  and  a  book  of  two  hundred  and  twenty- 
seven  pages  was  issued,  giving  an  account  of  the  origin  of  the  organ- 
ization, the  steps  by  which  it  became  a  treaty,  of  our  own  initiation, 
and  not  only  the  exact  text  by  which  our  accession  was  made,  but  that 
of  every  other  nation  within  the  treaty  up  to  that  time,  1882. 

A  bill  for  a  reprint  by  Congress  of  fifty  thousand  copies  of  this 
book  was  lost  in  the  session  of  1898  through  lack  of  time. 

No  consecutive  book  has  been  published  by  us  since  that  date, 
but  the  history  has  been  perhaps  even  more  fully  told,  and  that  scores 
of  times,  in  public  addresses  which  its  president  and  assistants  have 
been  called  to  make  before  great  assemblies,  selections  from  some  of 
which  will  appear  in  this  volume,  as  the  fullest  information  given  in 
the  most  compact  manner  that  we  can  render  in  the  short  space  of  time 
allotted  us. 

The  very  title  of  the  organization,  viz.:  "Relief  in  War,"  has 
been  a  misnomer,  and  through  all  the  early  years  especially  was  very 
generally  misunderstood  by  the  public.  I  have  not  unfrequently  been 
invited  and  innocently  urged  to  attend  peace  meetings  and  large 
charity  gatherings  for  the  poor  and  afflicted  on  the  ground  of  needing 
instruction  myself;  inasmuch  as  I  "  was  engaged  in  advocating  war, 
wouldn't  it  be  well  to  hear  something  on  the  other  side?  "  And  I 
have  been  invited  to  become  party  to  a  discussion  in  which  the  merits 
of  peace  and  war  should  be  compared. 

Large  organizations  of  women,  the  best  in  the  country,  and,  I 
believe,  the  best  in  the  world,  have  faithfully  labored  with  me  to  merge 
the  Red  Cross  into  their  society  as  a  part  of  woman's  work;  without 
the  smallest  conception  or  realization  of  its  scope,  its  international 
character,  its  treaty  obligations,  and  the  official  ground  it  was  liable 
at  any  time  to  be  called  to  occupy. 


THE  ADDRESS.  9/ 

Many  charming  invitations,  from  ladies  even  more  charming,  to 
address  their  convention  or  meeting,  have  still  contained  some  well 
chosen  word  which  might  imply  a  question,  if  indeed  the  Red  Cross 
really  were  the  humane  and  philanthropic  institution  it  claimed  to  be; 
naturally  the  address  usually  dealt  with  the  question  as  it  was  put. 

I  name  tliese  facts  as  mere  relics  of  the  past,  amusing  now,  but 
instructive  to  you  of  the  present  day  (when  no  child  even  questions  the 
motives  of  the  Red  Cross),  as  showing  what  it  had  to  meet  and  live 
through  in  order  to  live  at  all. 

In  order  to  .show  the  enthusiastic  devotees  of  the  present  year  how 
questionable  the  beneficence  of  the  Red  Cross  appeared  to  the  best 
people  only  a  few  years  ago,  I  introduce  the  following  address,  read, 
by  request,  before  a  congress  of  women,  1895  or  1896,  hoping  that  the 
charitably  disposed  reader  will  understand  and  appreciate  the  state  of 
mind  engendered  by  the  title  of  the  request  made,  and  forgive  any 
seeming  acerbity: 


ADDRESS. 


WHAT   IS  THE  SIGNIFICANCE   OF    THE    RED   CROSS    IN    ITS    RELATION 
TO    PHILANTHROPY? 

I  am  asked  to  say  something  upon  the  "  Significance  of  the  Red 
Cross  in  its  Relation  to  Philanthropy."  I  am  not  sure  that  I  understand 
precisely  w^hat  is  desired. 

If  a  morning  paper  should  announce  that  three  or  four  of  the 
greatest  political  bosses  or  greatest  railroad  kings  in  the  country  had 
quietly  met  somewhere,  and  sat  with  closed  doors  till  long  after  mid- 
night, and  then  silently  departed,  people  would  ask,  "What  is  the 
significance  of  that  ?  What  mischief  have  they  been  devising  in 
secret?"  In  that  sense  of  the  word,  significayice — which  is  a  very 
common  one — the  Red  Cross  has  none  that  I  ever  heard  of.  It  has  no 
rich  offices  to  bestow,  no  favorites  to  reward,  no  enemies  to  punish.  It 
has  no  secrets  to  keep,  no  mystic  word  or  sign.  Its  proceedings  would, 
and  do,  make  a  valuable  library,  accessible  to  all  men  and  all  women 
from  Norway  to  New  Zealand. 

I  will  not  say  that  it  is  so  simple  and  common  in  character  that  he 
who  runs  may  read,  but  surely  she  who  desires  information  can  sit 
down,  read  and  obtain  it.     The  Red  Cross  has  been  quietly  doing  its 


,^8  THE  RED  CROSS. 

work  for  thirty  years  and  is  now  established  in  forty  independent 
nations.  No  other  institution  on  earth,  not  even  Christianity,  has  a 
j>ublic  recognition  .so  nearly  universal.  None  has  ever  adhered  more 
'•losely  to  its  one  .single  purpose  of  alleviating  human  .suffering.  Has 
that  any  significance  or  any  connection  with  philanthropy  ?  Let  us 
see. 

An  institution  or  reform  movement  that  is  not  selfish,  must 
originate  in  the  recognition  of  some  evil  that  is  adding  to  the  sum  of 
human  suffering,  or  diminishing  the  sum  of  happiness.  I  suppose  it  is 
a  philanthropic  movement  to  try  to  reverse  the  process.  Christianity, 
temperance  and  sanitary  regulations  in  general  are  examples.  Great 
evils  die  hard;  and  all  that  has  yet  been  done  is  to  keep  them  within 
as  narrow  limits  as  possible.  Of  these  great  evils,  war  is  one.  War  is 
in  its  very  nature  cruel — the  very  embodiment  of  cruelty  in  its  effects — 
not  necessarily  in  the  hearts  of  the  combatants.  Baron  Macaulay 
thought  it  not  a  mitigation  but  an  aggravation  of  the  evil,  that  men  of 
tender  culture  and  humane  feelings,  with  no  ill  will,  should  stand  up 
and  kill  each  other.  But  men  do  not  go  to  war  to  save  life.  They 
might  save  life  by  keeping  the  peace  and  staying  at  home.  They  go 
solely  with  intent  to  inflict  so  much  pain,  loss  and  disaster  on  the 
enemy  that  he  will  yield  to  their  terms.  All  their  powers  to  hurt  are 
focused  upon  him. 

In  a  moving  army  the  elements  of  destruction,  armed  men  and 
munitions  of  war,  have  the  right  of  way;  and  the  means  of  preserving 
and  sustaining  even  their  own  lives  are  left  to  bring  up  the  rear  as  they 
best  can.  Hence,  when  the  shock  and  crash  of  battle  is  over,  and 
troops  are  advancing  or  retreating  and  all  roads  are  blocked,  and  the 
medical  .staff  trying  to  force  its  way  through  with  supplies,  prompt  and 
adequate  relief  can  scarcely  ever  reach  the  wounded.  The  darkness  of 
night  comes  down  upon  them  like  a  funeral  pall,  as  they  lie  in  their 
blood,  tortured  with  thirst  and  traumatic  fever.  The  memory  of  such 
scenes  set  a  kindly  Swiss  gentleman  to  thinking  of  ways  and  means  for 
alleviating  their  horrors.  In  time,  and  by  efforts  who.se  history  must 
be  familiar  to  many  of  you,  there  resulted  the  Geneva  Convention  for 
the  relief  of  the  sick  and  wounded  of  armies.  I  shall  not  trace  its 
hi.stor}',  as  it  seems  to  be  more  to  the  present  purpose  to  explain 
briefly  what  it  proposed  to  do,  and  how  it  proceeded  to  do  it. 

The  convention  found  two  prime  evils  to  consider.  First,  the 
existence  of  war  itself;  second,  the  vast  amount  of  needless  cruelty  it 
inflicted  upon  its  victims.     For  the  first  of  these,  with  the  world  full 


THE  ADDRESS.  99 

of  standing  armies,  every  boundary  line  of  nations  fixed  and  held  by 
the  sword,  and  the  traditions  of  four  thousand  years  behind  its  cus- 
toms, the  framers  of  the  convention,  however  earnest  and  devoted, 
could  scarcely  hope  to  find  an  immediate,  if  indeed,  a  perceptible  miti- 
gation. Only  time,  prolonged  effort,  national  economics,  universal 
progress  and  the  pressure  of  public  opinion  could  ever  hope  to  grapple 
with  this  monster  evil  of  the  ages. 

But  the  second — if  it  were  not  possible  to  dispense  with  the  need- 
less cruelties  heretofore  inflicted  upon  the  victims  of  war,  thus  relieving 
human  misery  to  that  extent,  seemed  to  the  framers  of  the  convention 
a  reasonable  question  to  be  considered.  This  is  what  it  proposed  to 
do.     A  few  sentences  will  explain  how  it  proceeded  to  do  it. 

A  convention  was  called  at  Geneva,  Switzerland,  for  the  fourth  of 
August,  1864'  to  be  composed  of  delegates  accredited  by  the  heads  of 
the  governments  of  the  world,  who  should  discuss  the  practices  of  war 
and  ascertain  to  what  extent  the  restraints  of  the  established  military 
code  in  its  dealing  with  the  sick  and  wounded  of  armies  were  needful 
for  the  benefit  of  the  service;  and  to  what  extent  they  were  needless, 
of  benefit  to  no  one,  causing  only  suffering,  of  no  strength  to  the  ser- 
vice, and  might  be  done  away  with;  and  to  what  extent  war-making 
powers  could  agree  to  enter  into  a  legal  compact  to  that  end.  The 
consideration,  discussion  and  concessions  of  two  weeks  produced  a 
proposed  agreement  which  took  the  form  of  a  compound  treaty,  viz: 
A  treaty  of  one  government  with  many  governments — the  first  ever 
made — a  compact  known  as  the  Treaty  of  Geneva,  for  the  relief  of  the 
sick  and  wounded  in  war. 

Its  basis  was  neutrality.  It  made  neutral  all  sick,  wounded,  or 
disabled  soldiers  at  a  field;  all  persons,  as  surgeons,  nurses  and 
attendants,  who  cared  for  them;  all  supplies  of  medicine  or  food  for 
their  use;  all  field  and  military  hospitals  with  their  equipments;  all 
gifts  from  neutral  nations  for  the  use  of  the  sick  and  wounded  of  any 
army;  all  houses  near  a  battlefield  that  would  receive  and  nurse 
wounded  men:  none  of  these  should  be  subject  to  capture.  It  provided 
for  the  sending  of  wounded  men  to  their  homes,  rather  than  to  prison; 
that  friend  and  foe  should  be  nursed  together  and  alike  in  all  militar\^ 
hospitals;  and,  most  of  all,  that  the  people  who  had  always  been  forcibly 
restrained  from  approaching  any  field  of  action  for  purposes  of  relief, 
however  needed  (with  the  single  exception  of  our  Sanitary  Commission, 
and  that  under  great  difficulties  and  often  under  protest)  should  not 
only  be  allowed  this  privilege,  but  should  arm  and  equip  themselves 


loo  THE  RED  CROSS. 

with  relief  of  all  kinds,  with  the  right  to  enter  the  lines  for  the  helpless; 
thus  relieving  not  alone  the  wounded  and  dying,  but  the  armies  of  their 
care. 

It  provided  a  universal  sign  by  which  all  this  relief,  both  of  persons 
and  material,  should  be  designated  and  known.  A  Greek  red  cross  on 
a  field  of  white  should  tell  any  soldier  of  any  country  within  the  treaty 
that  the  wearer  was  his  friend  and  could  be  trusted;  and  to  any  officer 
of  any  army  that  he  was  legitimately  there  and  not  subject  to  capture. 

Some  forty  nations  are  in  that  treaty,  and  from  every  military 
hospital  in  every  one  of  these  nations  floats  the  same  flag;  and  every 
active  soldier  in  all  their  armies  knows  that  he  can  neither  capture  nor 
harm  the  shelter  beneath  it,  though  it  be  but  a  little  "  A  "  tent  in  the 
enemy's  lines,  and  every  disabled  man  knows  it  is  his  rescue  and  his 
home. 

It  may  be  interesting  to  know  the  formula  of  this  compact.  It 
recognizes  one  head,  the  International  Committee  of  Geneva,  Switzer- 
land, through  which  all  communications  are  made.  One  national  head 
in  each  country  which  receives  such  communications,  transmitting  them 
to  its  government.  The  ratifying  power  of  the  treaty  is  the  Congress 
of  Berne.  The  organization  in  each  nation  receives  from  its  govern- 
ment its  high  moral  sanction  and  recognition,  but  is  in  no  way  sup- 
ported or  materially  aided  by  it.  The  Red  Cross  means  not  national 
aid  for  the  needs  of  the  people,  but  the  people' s  aid  for  the  needs  of  the 
7iation.  The  awakening  patriotism  of  the  last  few  years  should,  I 
think,  make  this  feature  more  readily  apprehended. 

As  the  foreign  nations  furnish  the  only  illustrations  of  the  value 
and  material  aid  of  the  Red  Cross  in  war,  let  us  glance  at  what  it  has 
accomplished. 

The  first  important  war  after  the  birth  of  the  Treaty  of  Geneva, 
was  between  Germany,  Italy  and  Austria.  Austria  had  not,  at  that 
time,  entered  the  treaty,  and  yet  its  objects  were  understood  and  its 
spirit  found  a  responsive  chord  in  the  hearts  of  the  people.  Over 
$400,000,  beside  a  great  amount  of  material,  were  collected  by  that 
country,  and  made  use  of  for  the  relief  of  the  combatants.  Italy 
was  fairly  well  organized  and  rendered  excellent  service,  furnishing 
much  substantial  assistance.  Germany,  which  was  in  the  vanguard 
of  the  treaty  nations,  was  throughly  organized  and  equipped.  She 
was  the  first  to  demonstrate  the  true  idea  of  the  Red  Cross — people's 
aid  for  national,  for  military,  necessity.  Great  storehouses  had  been 
provided  at  central  points,  where  vast  supplies  were  collected.     In  an 


THE  ADDRESS.  loi 

incredibly  short  time,  between  $3,000,000  and  $4,000,000  were  raised 
for  relief  purposes,  and  large  numbers  of  volunteers  came  to  help  the 
already  organized  corps  of  workers.  Great  trains  of  supplies  were  sent 
to  the  front.  The  wounded  enemy  was  tenderly  cared  for,  and  every- 
thing was  accomplished  so  well  and  so  systematically,  that  it  proved  the 
incalculable  value  of  organized,  authorized,  civil  aid.  French  and 
Swiss  Red  Cross  workers  also  rendered  great  assistance,  this  being  the 
first  instance  of  neutrals  taking  an  active  part. 

In  the  Franco-Prussian  War  the  German  Red  Cross  performed 
even  better  service,  it  having  learned  many  valuable  lessons  in  the 
German- Austrian  conflict,  and  through  their  efforts  an  infinite  amount  of 
good  was  accomplished  and  great  suffering  averted.  Not  only  were  the 
wounded  and  sick  soldiers  tenderly  cared  for,  but  the  unprovided  families 
of  soldiers  were  also  supplied.  The  French  Red  Cross  at  the  breaking  out 
of  the  war  was  poorly  organized  and  penniless.  Within  one  month,  how- 
ever, hospitals  had  been  established,  ambulances  and  a  large  amount  of 
field  supplies  were  at  the  front,  with  a  considerable  relief  force  to  care 
for  the  sick  and  wounded.  The  French  Association,  not  including  the 
branches  in  the  provinces,  spent  over  $2,000,000  and  assisted  110,000 
wounded.  Many  neutral  Red  Cross  nations  assisted  in  rendering  aid 
and  relief  in  this  great  war.  England  alone  sent  a  million  and  a  half 
dollars,  besides  twelve  hundred  cases  of  stores.  Eighty-five  thousand 
sick,  wounded  and  famishing  French  soldiers  entered  Switzerland,  and 
were  cared  for  by  the  Central  Committee  at  Berne.  The  International 
Committee  at  Geneva,  in  one  instance,  asked  for  and  obtained  2500 
seriously  wounded  French  soldiers,  supplied  their  wants,  and  sent  them 
to  their  own  country'. 

In  the  great  Russo-Turkish  War,  the  Red  Cross  of  Russia,  splen- 
didly equipped,  with  ample  means  and  royal  patronage,  was,  at  the 
beginning  of  hostilities,  greatly  hampered  by  the  jealousy  of  the  mili- 
tary. The  relief  organizations  were  assigned  places  well  in  the  rear;  but 
ere  many  months  had  passed  the  military  surgeons  gladly  accepted  the 
Red  Cross  aid,  and  colossal  work  did  it  perform.  Over  $13,000,000 
were  raised,  and  all  that  was  necessary  .spent  in  supplying  relief.  The 
neutral  Red  Cross  countries  furnished  valuable  assistance  in  this  war 
also. 

In  the  recent  war  between  Japan  and  China,  you  undoubtedly  read 
of  the  wonderful  work  performed  by  the  Japanese  Red  Cross.  This 
society  followed  the  precedent  of  Germany,  in  tenderly  caring  for  the 
wounded  enemy,  even   though  fighting  against  a   nation    not   in  the 


ii.j  THE  RED  CROSS. 

treaty.  Japan  had  a  cruel,  merciless  enemy  to  fight,  and  yet  her  sol- 
diers were  instructed  to  have  respect  even  for  a  dead  enemy. 

It  is  needless  to  give  further  illustrations;  history  records  the  won- 
derful achievements  of  this  greatest  of  relief  organizations,  though  it 
cannot  record  the  untold  suffering  which  has  been  averted  by  it. 

Is  the  Red  Cross  a  humanitarian  organization  ?  What  is  the  sig- 
nificance of  the  Red  Cross?  I  leave  these  two  questions  for  you  to 
answer. 

But  war,  although  the  most  tragic,  is  not  the  only  evil  that  assails 
humanity.  War  has  occurred  in  the  United  States  four  times  in  one 
hundred  and  twenty  years.  Four  times  its  men  have  armed  and 
marched,  and  its  women  waited  and  wept.  That  is  on  an  average  of 
one  war  every  thirty  years.  It  is  now  a  little  over  thirty  years  since 
the  last  hostile  gun  was  fired;  we  fondly  hope  it  may  be  many  years 
before  there  is  another.  A  machine,  even  a  human  machine,  called  into 
active  service  only  once  in  thirty  years  is  liable  to  get  out  of  working 
order;  hence  to  keep  it  in  condition  for  use,  no  less  than  for  the  possible 
good  it  might  do,  the  American  Society  of  the  Red  Cross  asked  to  have 
included  in  its  charter  the  privilege  of  rendering  such  aid  as  it  could  in 
great  public  calamities,  as  fires,  floods,  cyclones,  famines  and  pestilence. 

In  a  time  of  profound  peace  that  has  been  the  only  possible  field 
of  activity.  It  is  not  for  me  to  say  whether  that  field  has  been  success- 
fully cultivated,  but  a  few  of  the  facts  wdll  determine  whether  the 
innovation  upon  the  treaty  will  commend  itself  to  your  judgment,  as  it 
has  to  those  of  the  older  societies  of  Europe. 

Naturally  it  required  not  only  diplomacy  but  arguments  to  obtain 
a  privilege  never  before  ofi5cially  considered  in  the  unbroken  customs 
of  an  international  treaty.  They  must  be  submitted  to  a  foreign  con- 
gress. The  same  argument  pertained  fifteen  years  ago  that  pertains 
to-day,  namely,  that  in  all  our  vast  territory,  subject  to  incalculable 
disasters,  with  all  our  charitable,  humane  and  benevolent  associations, 
there  was  not  one  which  had  for  its  object  and  duty  to  hold  itself  in 
preparation  and  training  to  meet  and  relieve  the  woes  of  these  over- 
mastering disasters.  All  Avould  gladly  aid,  but  there  were  none  to 
lead.  Everybody's  business  was  nobody's  business,  and  the  stricken 
victims  perished. 

We  asked  that  under  the  Red  Cross  Constitution  of  the  United 
States  its  national  organization  should  be  permitted  to  act  in  the  capa- 
city of  Red  Cross  relief  agents,  treating  a  national  disaster  like  a  field 
of  battle,  proceed  to  it  at  once  with  experienced  help,  equipped  with 


THE  ADDRESS.  103 

all  the  needful  supplies  and  means  to  commence  relief,  overlook  and 
learn  the  needs  of  the  field,  make  immediate  statements  of  the  true 
condition  and  wants  to  the  people  of  the  country,  who,  knowing  the 
presence  of  the  Red  Cross  there,  could,  if  desirable,  make  it  the 
medium  of  their  contributions  for  relief  either  in  money  or  material. 
To  relieve  the  necessities  in  every  way  possible,  keep  the  people  at 
large  in  possession  of  reliable  information,  hold  the  field  until  relief 
has  been  given,  and  retire  when  all  needed  aid  has  been  rendered. 
This  privilege  was  graciously  granted  by  the  ratifying  Congress  at 
Berne,  and  is  known  as  the  ' '  American  amendment ' '  of  the  Red 
Cross.  Nations  since  that  date,  on  becoming  signatory  to  the  treaty, 
have  included  that  amendment  in  their  charters. 

This  is  the  principle  upon  which  we  have  acted.  The  affording  of 
relief  to  the  victims  of  great  disasters  anywhere  in  the  United  States, 
is  what  the  National  Red  Cross  has  proceeded  to  do,  and  it  has  confined 
itself  strictly  to  its  privileges,  acting  only  in  disasters  so  great  as  to  be 
national.  It  never  asks  aid;  never  makes  an  appeal:  it  simply  makes 
statements  of  the  real  condition  of  the  sufferers,  leaving  the  people  free 
to  exercise  their  own  humanity  through  any  medium  they  may  prefer. 

In  the  thirteen  years  of  relief  work  by  the  Red  Cross  in  the 
United  States,  every  dollar  and  every  pound  that  has  been  received 
and  distributed  by  it,  has  been  the  free-will  offering  of  the  people, 
given  for  humanity  without  solicitation,  and  dispensed  without  reward. 
It  has  received  nothing  from  the  government.  No  fund  has  been 
created  for  it.  No  contributions  have  been  made  except  those  to  be 
distributed  as  relief  at  its  fields.  Its  officers  serve  without  pay.  There 
is  not,  nor  ever  was,  a  salaried  officer  in  it,  and  even  its  headquarters 
meets  its  own  costs.  Among  the  various  appropriations  made  by  Con- 
gress for  relief  of  calamities  in  the  past  years,  as  in  great  river  floods, 
not  a  dollar  so  appropriated  has  ever  been  applied  through  the  Red 
Cross,  although  working  on  the  same  field.  I  name  these  facts,  not 
by  way  of  complaint,  or  even  comment,  but  to  correct  popular  errors 
of  belief,  which  I  know  you  would  prefer  to  have  corrected.  True  to 
its  method,  this  is  simply  a  statement  of  the  real  condition  of  things, 
and  left  to  the  choice  of  the  people — the  Red  Cross  itself  is  theirs, 
created  for  them,  and  it  is  peculiarly  their  privilege  to  deal  with  it  as 
they  will. 

The  following  list  of  calamities  with  the  approximate  value  of 
material  furnished,  as  well  as  money,  will  give  you  some  appreciation 
of  the  services  rendered  in  the  cause  of  humanity  by  the  American 


i,)4  Jill*:  ki-:!)  CROSS. 

National  Re<l  Cross.  Limit  of  time  and  space  forbids  even  an  attempt 
at  description  of  its  various  fields.  I  can  only  name  the  most  impor- 
tant, with  estimated  values  distributed  on  each: 

Michigan  Forest  Fires,  1881,  material  and  money.    .    .    .  $  So.ooo 

Mississippi  Floods,  1SS2,  money  and  seeds      8,000 

Mississippi  Floods,  1SS3,  material  and  seeds 18,500 

Mississippi  Cyclone,  18S3,  money          1,000 

Balkan  War,  1SS3,  money 500 

Ohio  and   Mississippi    Floods,   1S84,  feed  for  stock  and 

people,  clothing,  tools,  house  furnishings 175,000 

Texas  Famine,  18S5,  appropriations  and  contributions  on 

statements  made  upon  personal  investigation    .    .    .  120,000 

Charleston  Earthquake,  18S6,  money 500 

Mt.  Vernon,  111.,  Cyclone,  1S88,  money  and  supplies    .    .  85,000 
Florida  Yellow  Fever,  iSSS,  physicians  and  nurses   .    .    .  15,000 
Johnstown  Disaster,  1889,  money  and  all  kinds  of  mate- 
rial, buildings  and  furnishings      250,000 

Russian  Famine,  1891-92,  mainly  food 125,000 

Pomeroy,  Iowa,  Cyclone,  1893,  money  and  nurses     .    .    .  2,700 
South  Carolina  Islands,  1893-94,  money  and  all  kinds  of 

supplies  and  materials,  tools,  seeds,  lumber,  etc.  .    .  65,000 

$946,200 

Only  about  one-eighth  of  the  above  estimates  represent  cash;  the 
balance  represents  material. 

In  each  of  these  emergencies  something  has  been  added  to  the  sum 
of  human  happiness,  something  subtracted  from  the  sum  of  human  woe; 
the  naked  have  been  clothed,  the  hungry  fed,  new  homes  have  sprung 
up  from  the  desolated  ruins,  crops  revived,  and  activities  and  business 
relations  resumed.  In  a  neighboring  State  and  its  adjacent  islands 
scarcely  two  hundred  miles  distant  from  this,  could  to-day  be  found 
several  thousand  human  beings,  living  in  their  homes,  enjoying  theii 
family  lives,  following  their  ordinary  avocations,  cultivating  the  ground, 
who,  if  asked,  would  unhesitatingly  tell  3'ou  that  but  for  the  help  of  the 
Red  Cross,  they  would  two  years  ago  have  been  under  the  ground  they 
now  cultivate. 

If  the  alleviation  of  human  miseries,  the  saving  of  life,  and  the 
bringing  of  helplessness  and  dependence  back  to  methods  of  self- 
sustenance  and  independence  are  counted-  among  the  philanthropic 
movements  of  the  day,  then  to  us,  who  have  seen  so  much  and 
worked    so  long  and   .so  hard  among  it,  it  would  seem  that  the  Red 


THE  ADDRESS.  105 

Cross  movement  has  some  "significance"  in  connection  with  phil- 
anthropy. 

There  remains  but  one  question  more.  To  whom  is  this  movement 
due?  Who  instituted  it?  In  what  minds  did  it  originate?  I  wish  I 
could  say  it  was  all  woman's  work;  but  the  truth  compels  the  fact  that 
this  great,  humane  idea  originated  with  men;  the  movement  was  insti- 
tuted by  them.  They  thought  it  out,  and  they  wrought  it  out,  and  it 
was  only  meet  and  proper  that  they  should,  for  the  terrible  evil  that 
made  it  necessary  was  theirs  as  well.  Women  as  a  rule  are  not  war- 
makers.  For  centuries  the  caprices  of  men  have  plunged  the  world  in 
strife,  covered  the  earth's  surface  with  armies,  and  enriched  its  soil 
with  the  best  blood  that  ever  flow^ed  in  human  veins.  It  is  only  right 
that  at  length,  in  the  cycle  of  ages,  something  should  touch  man's 
heart  and  set  him  humbly  down  to  find  out  some  way  of  mending  as 
much  of  his  mischief  as  he  could.  Perhaps  he  "  builded  better  than 
he  knew,"  for  in  that  one  effort  he  touched  the  spring  that  sooner  or 
later  will  mend  it  all.  No  grander  or  truer  prophecy  has  ever  been 
made  than  uttered  in  that  first  convention:  "  The  Red  Cross  shall  teach 
war  to  make  war  upon  itself.^'  It  is 'the  most  practical  and  effective 
peace-maker  and  civilizer  in  the  known  world.  It  reaches  where  noth- 
ing else  can.  If  proof  of  this  be  wanting,  study  the  action  of  Japan  in 
its  late  war. 

But  is  man  doing  this  work  alone?  No — gladly,  no  !  Scarcely  had 
he  made  his  first  move,  when  the  jeweled  hands  of  royal  woman 
glistened  beside  him,  and  right  royallj^  have  they  borne  their  part. 
Glance  at  the  galaxy — the  great  leader  and  exemplar  of  them  all, 
Empress  Augusta  of  Germany,  her  illustrious  daughter,  the  Grand 
Duchess  of  Baden,  Eugenia,  Empress  Frederick,  Victoria  and  Princess 
Louise  of  England,  Margherita  of  Italy,  Natalia  of  Serv'ia  and  the  entire 
Court  of  Russia,  and  to-day  the  present  Empress  of  Germany,  and  the 
hard-working  Empress  of  Japan,  with  her  faithful,  weary  court,  even 
now  busy  in  the  hospitals  of  convalescing  Chinese.  The  various  aux- 
iliary societies  of  women  of  all  the  principal  Red  Cross  nations  are  a 
pride  and  a  glory  to  humanity. 

These  nations  have  all  two  important  features  in  their  movement, 
which,  thus  far,  have  not  been  accorded  to  us.  Their  governments 
have  instituted  laws  protecting  the  insignia  and  name  of  the  Red  Cross 
from  misuse  and  abuse  as  trademarks  by  unscrupulous  venders,  and 
appropriation  by  false  societies  for  dishonest  purposes.  This  lack,  and 
this  alone,  has  thus  far  rendered  general  organization  in  the  United 


io6  TIIK  RKI)  CROSS. 

States  impracticable  and  unsafe.  For  seven  years  the  most  strenuous 
efforts  at  protection  have  failed;  the  loss  has  been  to  the  people  in 
general. 

The  second  advantage  of  other  nations  is  that  citizens,  the  men  of 
wealth  in  those  countries,  have  created  a  Red  Cross  fund  for  its  use, 
varying  in  amounts  from  a  hundred  thousand  to  several  millions  of 
dollars.  Russia,  I  lielieve,  has  a  fund  of  some  three  millions.  It  seems 
never  to  have  occurred  to  our  wealth-burdened  men  that  possibly  a 
little  satisfaction  might  be  gained,  some  good  accomplished,  and  some 
credit  done  the  nation  by  a  step  in  that  direction.  It  will  dawn  upon 
them  some  da}',  not,  perhaps,  in  mine,  but  in  some  of  yours,  and  then, 
ladies,  you  can  well  join  hands  with  them,  and  discern  more  clearly 
than  now  the  ' '  significance  of  the  Red  Cross  as  related  to  philanthropy." 


THE  MICHIGAN  FOREST  FIRES. 


T  may  be  necessary  to  recall  to  the  mind  of  the 
person  reading  these  pages  hastily,  the  fact  that  the 
National  Red  Cross  of  America  was  formed  nearly 
a  year  before  the  accession  to  the  treaty.  This  was 
done  by  the  advice  of  President  Garfield,  in  order 
■  to  aid  as  far  as  possible  the  accession.  "Accord- 
ingly a  meeting  was  held  in  Washington,  D.  C, 
May  21,  1 88 1,  which  resulted  in  the  formation  of 
an  association  to  be  known  as  the  American 
National  Association  of  the  Red  Cross." 
Several  years  of  previous  illness  on  the  part  of  its  president  had 
resulted  in  fixing  her  country  home  at  Dansville,  N.  Y, ,  the  seat  of 
the  great  Jackson  and  Austin  Sanitarium  and  the  acknowledged  foun- 
dation of  the  hundreds  of  health  institutions  of  that  kind  which  bless 
the  country  to-day.  The  establishment  of  the  National  Red  Cross  in 
Washington  had  attracted  the  attention  of  persons  outside,  who,  of 
course,  knew  very  little  of  it;  but  among  others,  the  people  of  Dans- 
ville, the  home  of  the  president,  felt  that  if  she  were  engaged  in  some 
public  movement,  they  too  might  at  least  offer  to  aid.  Accordingly,  on 
her  return  to  them  in  midsummer,  they  waited  upon  her  with  a  request 
to  that  effect,  which  resulted  in  the  formation  of  a  society  of  the  Red 
Cross,  this  being  the  first  body  in  aid  of  the  National  Association 
formed  in  the  United  States.  It  is  possible  I  cannot  make  that  more 
clear  than  by  giving  an  extract  from  their  report  of  that  date,  which 
was  as  follows: 


In  reply  to  your  request,  given  through  the  secretary  of  your  association,  that 
we  make  report  to  you  concerning  the  inauguration  of  our  society,  its  subsequent 
proceedings  and  present  condition,  the  coinniittee  has  the  honor  to  submit  the 
following  statement: 

Dansville,  Livingston  County,  N.  Y.,  being  the  country  residence  of  ATiss 
Clara  Barton,  president  of  the  American  Association  of  the  Red  Cross,  its  citizens, 
desirous  of  paying  a  compliment  to  her,  and  at  the  same  time  of  doing  an  honor  to 
themselves,  conceived  the  idea  of  organizing  in  their  town  the  first  local  society  of 

(107) 


io8  THE  RED  CROSS. 

the  Red  Cross  in  the  United  States.  To  this  end,  a  general  preliminary  meeting 
was  held  in  the  Presbyterian  Church,  when  the  principles  of  the  Treaty  of  Geneva 
and  the  nature  of  its  societies  were  defined  in  a  clear  and  practical  manner  by  Miss 
Barton,  who  had  been  invited  to  address  the  meeting.  Shortly  after,  on  the  twenty- 
second  of  August,  iS8i,  a  second  meeting,  for  the  purpose  of  organization,  held  in 
the  Lutheran  Church  and  presided  over  by  the  pastor,  Rev.  Dr.  Strobel,  was 
attended  by  the  citizens  generally,  including  nearly  all  the  religious  denominations 
of  the  town,  with  their  respective  pastors.  The  purpose  of  the  meeting  was 
explained  by  your  president,  a  constitution  was  presented  and  very  largely  signed, 
and  officers  were  elected. 

Thus  we  are  able  to  announce  that  on  the  eighteenth  anniversary  of  the  Treaty 
of  Geneva,  in  Switzerland,  August  22,  1864,  was  formed  the  first  local  society  of  the 
Red  Cross  in  the  United  States  of  America. 


Almost  immediately  following  this  occurred  the  memorable  forest 
fires  of  Michigan,  which  raged  for  days,  sweeping  everything  before 
them — man,  beast,  forests,  farms — every  living  thing,  until  in  one 
report  made  of  it  we  find  this  sentence:  "So  sweeping  has  been  the 
destruction  that  there  is  not  food  left  in  its  track  for  a  rabbit  to  eat, 
and,  indeed,  no  rabbit  to  eat  it,  if  there  were."  Here  occurred  the 
fir.st  opportunity  for  work  that  the  young  society  had  found,  and  again 
I  give  without  further  note  their  report: 


Before  a  month  had  passed,  before  a  thought  of  practical  application  to 
business  had  arisen,  we  were  forcibly  and  sadly  taught  again  the  old  lesson  that 
we  need  but  to  build  the  altar,  God  will  Himself  provide  the  sacrifice.  If  we  did 
not  hear  the  crackling  of  the  flames,  our  skies  grew  murky  and  dark  and  our 
atmosphere  bitter  with  the  drifting  smoke  that  rolled  over  from  the  blazing  fields 
of  our  neighbors  of  Michigan,  whose  living  thousands  fled  in  terror,  whose  dying 
hundreds  writhed  in  the  embers,  and  whose  dead  blackened  in  the  ashes  of  their 
hard-earned  homes.  Instantly  we  felt  the  help  and  strength  of  our  organization, 
young  and  untried  as  it  was.  We  were  grateful  that  in  this  first  ordeal  your 
sympathetic  president  was  with  us.  We  were  deeply  grateful  for  your  prompt 
call  to  action,  given  through  her,  which  rallied  us  to  our  work.  Our  relief  rooms 
were  instantly  secured  and  our  white  banner,  with  its  bright  scarlet  cross,  which 
has  never  been  furled  since  that  hour,  was  thrown  to  the  breeze,  telling  to  every 
looker-on  what  we  were  there  to  do,  and  pointing  to  ever}'  generous  heart  an  outlet 
for  its  sympathy.  We  had  not  mistaken  the  spirit  of  our  people  ;  our  scarce-opened 
doorway  was  filled  with  men,  women  and  children  bearing  their  gifts  of  pity  and 
love.  Tables  and  shelves  were  piled,  our  working  committee  of  ladies  took  every 
article  under  inspection,  their  faithful  hands  made  all  garments  whole  and  strong ; 
lastly,  each  article  received  the  stamp  of  the  society  and  of  the  Red  Cross,  and  all 
were  carefully  and  quickly  consigned  to  the  firm  packing  cases  awaiting  them. 
Eight  large  boxes  were  shipped  at  first,  others  followed  directly,  and  so  continued 


THE  MICHIGAN   FOREST   I'lRlCS.  loy 

until  notified  by  the  Relief  Committee  of  Michigan  that  no  more  were  needed. 
Meanwhile  the  hands  of  our  treasurer  were  not  left  empty,  some  hundreds  of 
dollars  were  deposited  with  him.  A  most  competent  agent,  our  esteemed  towns- 
man and  county  clerk  of  Livingston  County,  Major  Mark  J.  Bunnell,  was  dispatched 
with  the  first  invoice  of  funds  and  charged  with  the  duty  of  the  reception  of  the 
supplies,  their  proper  distribution  and  of  making  direct  report  of  the  condition  and 
needs  of  the  sufferers. 

The  good  practical  judgment  of  the  people  and  society  led  them  to  consider 
the  near  approach  of  winter  and  the  unsheltered  condition  of  the  victims,  bereft 
of  every  earthly  possession,  and  warm  clothing  and  bedding  were  sent  in  great 
abundance.  Our  cases  were  all  marked  with  the  Red  Cross  and  consigned  to 
Senator  Omar  D.  Conger,  of  Port  Huron,  who  led  the  call  of  the  Michigan 
committee  and  to  whom,  as  well  as  to  his  kindhearted  and  practical  wife,  we  are 
indebted  for  many  timely  suggestions  and  words  of  grateful  appreciation. 

In  a  spirit  of  gratitude  and  hope  we  submit  this  partial  report  of  our  first 
work  under  the  Red  Cross,  which  can  be  but  partial,  as  our  rooms  are  still  open 
and  our  work  is  in  progress  awaiting  such  further  calls  as  may  come  to  us.  We 
are  grateful  that  we  are  called,  grateful  that  your  honored  President,  with  the 
acquired  skill  of  the  humatiC  labors  of  many  years  in  many  lands,  was  with  us  to 
counsel  and  instruct.  We  are  glad  to  have  learned  from  this  early  object  lesson 
the  value  of  organized  effort  and  the  value  of  our  own  organization. 

We  hope  our  report  may  be  satisfactory  to  you,  and  that  our  beautiful  little 
valley  town,  quietly  nestling  among  the  green  slopes  of  the  Genesee  Valley,  after 
having  offered  the  first  fruits  of  the  Red  Cross  to  its  own  countrymen,  may  always 
be  as  prompt  and  generous  in  any  call  of  yours  for  suffering  humanity. 


The  neighboring  citj^  of  Rochester,  forty  miles  to  the  north 
of  Dansville,  hearing  of  the  activitj'  of  its  smaller  neighbor  in  the 
;^reat  disaster  that  was  paralyzing  all,  desired  also  to  unite  in  the  work 
and  knowing  much  less  even  than  Dansville  of  what  the  Red  Cross 
might  mean,  still  desired  to  act  with  it,  if  possible;  and  appended 
herewith  will  be  found  their  report,  which  will  be.st  tell  their  story 


Influential  citizens  of  Rochester,  Monroe  County,  N.  Y.,  having  become  inter- 
ested in  the  subject  of  the  Treaty  of  Geneva  and  the  Red  Cross  work  going  on  in 
Dansville,  sent  a  request  through  the  mayor  of  the  city  to  Miss  Clara  Barton  to 
address  them  in  a  public  meeting.  Miss  Barton  met  an  audience  of  thinking, 
philanthropic  men  and  women,  to  whom  it  was  a  pleasure  to  unfold  her  theme. 
The  result  was  a  proposition  to  organize  a  .society  before  adjournment.  Accord- 
ingly names  were  pledged,  and,  the  second  evening  after,  a  constitution  was 
adopted  and  officers  were  elected,  Edward  M.  Moore,  M.  D.,  president.     .     .     .     . 

Steps  were  immediately  taken  for  reducing  to  practice  the  theory  of  their 
newly  formed  society,  and  in  three  days  from  the  connnencemcnt  of  its  existence 
its  agent,  Profe.ssor  J.  B.  Hubbcll,  was  on  the  burnt  fields  of  Michigan  with  instruc- 
tions to  examine  into  the  condition  ot  the  people  and  report  their  neces-sities  to  the 


no  THE  RED  CROSS. 

society  from  actual  observation.  These  duties  were  faithfully  and  judiciously  per- 
formed, and  on  the  day  following  his  report  of  the  special  need  of  money  the  sum 
of  ^12500  in  cash  was  forwarded  as  a  first  installment.  At  last  reports  the  sum 
raised  amounted  to  j;3So7.2S  and  the  society  numbered  250  members.  It  is  evident 
that  no  full  report  can  be  made  concerning  a  movement  of  which  only  the  first 
steps  are  taken,  and  which  is  still  in  active  operation,  but  it  is  believed  that  the 
instances  are  rare  when,  with  no  distress  of  its  own  as  an  incentive,  but  from  the 
simple  motive  of  benevolence,  a  ])eople  has  accomplished  so  much,  both  in  organ- 
zation  and  practical  results,  in  so  brief  a  space  of  time. 

Following  close  on  the  organization  in  Rochester,  the  citizens 
of  the  sister  city  of  Syracuse  and  vicinity,  in  Onondaga  County, 
N.  Y. ,  met  at  the  Board  of  Trade  rooms  and  perfected  their  organi- 
zation under  the  above  name.  Rev.  Dr.  Richmond  Fiske,  a  widely 
known  philanthropist,  prominently  connected  with  the  principal 
charities  of  the  city,  assisted  by  Professor  G.  F.  Comfort,  of  the  Syra- 
cuse University,  led  the  movement.  The  constitution,  embracing  in 
admirable  form  the  principles  of  the  Geneva  Convention,  was  signed 
by  a  large  number  present  and  officers  were  appointed  representing 
the  names  of  the  leading  people  of  the  city. 

These  were  the  first  steps  of  the  American  National  Association 
of  the  Red  Cross  in  relief  work  and  in  the  organization  of  auxiliary 
societies.  The  completion  of  this  work,  which  may  have  seemed 
premature  and  preliminary,  left  the  association  free  to  continue  its 
efforts  with  the  Government  of  the  United  States  on  behalf  of  its 
accession  to  the  treaty. 


MISSISSIPPI  AND  OHIO  RIVER  FLOODS— 1882. 


j^HE  spring  rise  of  the  waters  of  the  Mississippi  brought 

Ipi       great  devastation  and  a  cry  went  over  the  country  in 

regard   to  the  sufferings   of    the   inhabitants  of    the 


Mississippi  valley.  For  hundreds  of  miles  the  great 
river  was  out  of  its  bed  and  raging  madly  over  the 
country,  sweeping  in  its  course  not  only  the  homes 
but  often  the  people,  the  animals,  and  many  times 
the  land  itself.  This  constituted  a  work  of  the  relief  clearly  within 
the  bounds  of  the  civil  part  of  our  treaty,  and  again  we  prepared  for 
work.  Again  our  infant  organization  sent  its  field  agent,  Dr.  Hub- 
bell,  to  the  scene  of  disaster,  where  millions  of  acres  of  the  richest 
valley,  cotton  and  sugar  lands  of  America,  and  thousands  upon 
thousands  of  homes  under  the  waters  of  the  mightiest  of  rivers — 
where  the  swift  rising  floods  overtook  alike  man  and  beast  in  their 
flight  of  terror,  sweeping  them  ruthlessly  to  the  gulf  beyond,  or  leaving 
them  clinging  in  famishing  despair  to  some  trembling  roof  or  swaj'- 
ing  tree  top  till  relief  could  reach  and  rescue  them. 

The  National  Association,  with  no  general  fund,  sent  of  its 
personal  resources  what  it  was  able  to  do,  and  so  acceptable  did  these 
prove  and  so  convincing  were  the  beneficences  of  the  work  that  the 
cities  of  Memphis,  Vicksburg  and  New  Orleans  desired  to  be  permitted 
CO  form  associate  societies  and  work  under  the  National  Association. 
This  was  permitted,  and  those  societies  have  remained  until  the  present 
time,  New  Orleans  organizing  for  the  entire  State  of  Louisiana.  The 
city  of  Rochester,  proud  and  grateful  of  its  success  in  the  disaster  a 
few  months  before,  again  came  to  the  front  and  again  rendered  excel- 
lent service. 

It  was  a  singular  fact  that  on  the  first  day  of  March,  1S82,  while 
the  National  Association  was  in  session  busily  engaged  in  devising 
ways  and  means  for  extending  the  relief  which  to  them  seemed  so 
needed  and  so  slender,  a  messenger  came  from  the  Senate  of  the  United 
States  to  announce  to  them  that  tl:e  vote  had  been  taken  and  that  the 

fun 


112  THE  RED  CROSS. 

United  States  had  acceded  to  the  Treaty  of  Geneva  without  a  dissent- 
ing voice.  This  closed  a  meeting  joyfully  which  had  opened  with 
many  misgivings.  Fresh  courage  and  hope  were  taken  and  every 
energy  called  into  action  for  the  furtherance  of  the  work  which  seemed 
then  fairly  commenced. 

In  the  spring  of  1883  occurred  the  first  great  rise  of  the  Ohio  River; 
1000  miles  in  extent.  This  river,  although  smaller  than  the  Missis- 
sippi, is  more  rapid  in  its  course,  and  its  valleys  hold  the  richest 
grain  lands,  the  most  cultivated  farms  and  representing,  in  fact,  the 
best  farming  interests  of  America. 

The  destruction  of  property  was  even  greater  here  than  in  the 
cotton  and  cane  lands  of  the  Mississippi.  Again  our  field  agent  was 
dispatched  and  did  excellent  work.  The  entire  country  was  aroused, 
and  so  liberal  were  the  contributions  to  the  various  committees  of 
relief  that  when  Dr.  Hubbell  retired  from  the  field,  having  completed 
the  work,  he  had  still  unexpended  funds  in  hand.  But  they  were 
soon  needed. 


MISSISSIPPI  AND  LOUISIANA  CYCLONE. 

less  than  a  month  occurred  the  fearful  cyclone  of 
Louisiana  and  Mississippi,  which  cut  a  swath  clear 
of  all  standing  objects  for  thirty  miles  in  width  and 
several  hundred  miles  in  length,  running  southeast 
from  the  Mississippi  River  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 

Our  special  agent  for  the  South,  Colonel  F.  R. 
Southmayd,  took  charge  of  the  Red  Cross  relief  in  this 
disaster,  and  so  efl&cient  was  his  work  that  societies 
struggled  for  organization  under  him  and  the  Red 
Cross  was  hailed  as  a  benediction  wherever  he  passed.  This  was  in 
May,  1883. 

Our  association  now  enjoyed  for  eight  months  a  respite  from  active 
work.  It  was  surely  needed.  It  was  the  longest  rest  we  had  yet 
known,  and  afforded  some  small  opportunity  to  gather  up  its  records 
of  past  labors,  organize  some  societies  and  compile  a  history  of  the 
Red  Cross,  so  much  needed  for  the  information  of  our  people  and  so 
earnestly  asked  for  by  them  as  well  as  by  the  United  States  Senate. 
From  this  history  the  preceding  pages  of  this  book  have  been 
extracted. 


CLARA   BARTON. 
Taken  about  1S84. 


Copyrig}it,  iSiyS,  by  Clara  Barton. 

"JOSH  V.  THROOP." 
The  first  steamer  used  in  the  United  States  by  the  American  Red  Cross,  1884. 


THE  OHIO  RIVER  FLOODS. 


UT  the  respite  was  all  too  short  for  our  purposes. 
The  rapidly  melting  snows  of  February,  1884, 
brought  the  one  thousand  miles  of  the  Ohio  River 
again  out  of  its  bed.  A  wild  cry  went  out  all  over 
the  country  for  help.  The  government,  through 
Congress,  took  immediate  action  and  appropriated 
'»^^.    <.>o  several  hundred  thousand  dollars  for  relief,  to  be 

applied  through  the  War  Department.  The  Red 
Cross  agents  must  again  repair  to  the  field,  its  societies  be  again 
notified. 

But  its  president  felt  that  if  she  were  to  be  called  every  year  to 
direct  the  relief  work  of  the  association  in  these  inundations  it  was 
incumbent  upon  her  to  visit  the  scene  in  person,  to  see  for  herself  what 
floods  were  like,  to  learn  the  necessities  and  be  able  to  direct  with  the 
wisdom  born  of  actual  knowledge  of  the  subject ;  and  accordingly,  with 
ten  hours'  preparation,  she  joined  Dr.  Hubbell  on  his  way  and  pro- 
ceeded to  Pittsburg,  the  head  of  the  Ohio  River.  There  the  societies 
were  telegraphed  that  Cincinnati  would  be  headquarters  and  that 
money  and  supplies  should  be  sent  there.  This  done,  we  proceeded  to 
Cincinnati  by  rail. 

Any  description  of  this  city  upon  our  entrance  would  fall  so  far 
short  of  the  reality  as  to  /ender  it  useless. 

The  surging  river  had  climbed  up  the  bluffs  like  a  devouring 
monster  and  possessed  the  town;  large  steamers  could  have  plied  along 
its  business  streets;  ordinary  avocations  were  abandoned.  Bankers  and 
merchants  stood  in  its  relief  houses  and  fed  the  hungry  populace,  and 
men  and  women  were  out  in  boats  passing  baskets  of  food  to  pale, 
trembling  hands  stretched  out  to  reach  it  from  third  story  windows  of 
the  stately  blocks  and  warehouses  of  that  beautiful  city.  Sometimes 
the  water  soaked  away  the  foundations  and  the  structure  fell  with  a 
crash  and  was  lost  in  the  floods  below;  in  one  instance  seven  lives 
went  out  with  the  falling  building;  and  this  was  one  city,  and  prob- 
ably the  best  protected  and  provided  locality  in  a  thousand  miles  of 
thickly  populated  country. 

"5 


ii6  THK  RKD  CROSS. 

It  had  not  been  my  intention  to  remain  at  the  scene  of  disaster, 
but  rather  to  see,  investigate,  establish  an  agency  and  return  to 
national  headquarters  at  Washington,  which  in  the  haste  of  departure 
had  been  left  imperfectly  cared  for.  But  I  might  almost  say,  in  mili- 
tary parlance,  that  I  was  "surprised  and  captured.  " 

I  had  made  no  call  beyond  the  Red  Cross  societies — expected  no 
supplies  from  other  sources — but  scarcely  had  news  of  our  arrival  at 
Cincinnati  found  its  way  to  the  public  press  when  telegrams  of  money 
and  checks,  from  all  sides  and  sources,  commenced  to  come  in,  with 
letters  announcing  the  sending  of  material.  The  express  office  and 
freight  depots  began  filling  up  until  within  two  weeks  we  were  com- 
pelled to  open  large  vSupply  rooms,  which  were  generously  tendered  to 
the  use  of  the  Red  Cross.  A  description  could  no  more  do  justice  to 
our  flood  of  supplies  than  to  the  flood  of  waters  which  had  made  them 
necessary — cases,  barrels  and  bales  of  clothing,  food,  household  sup- 
plies, new  and  old;  all  that  intelligent  awakened  sympathy  could 
suggest  was  there  in  such  profusion  that,  so  far  from  thinking  of 
leaving  it  one  must  call  all  available  help  for  its  care  and  distribution. 

The  government  would  supply  the  destitute  people  with  food, 
tents  and  army  blankets,  and  had  placed  its  military  boats  upon  the 
river  to  rescue  the  people  and  issue  rations  until  the  first  great  need 
should  be  supplied. 

The  work  of  the  Red  Cross  is  supplemental  and  it  sought  for  the 
special  wants  likely  to  be  overlooked  in  this  great  general  supply  and 
the  necessities  oiitside  the  limits  of  governmental  aid.  The  search 
was  not  difficult.  The  government  provided  neither  fuel  nor  clothing. 
It  was  but  little  past  midwinter.  A  cyclone  struck  the  lower  half  of 
the  river  with  the  water  at  its  greatest  height  and  whole  villages  were 
swept  away  in  a  night.  The  inhabitants  escaped  in  boats,  naked  and 
homeless.  Hail  fell  to  the  depth  of  several  inches  and  the  entire 
country  was  encased  in  sleet  and  ice.  The  water  had  filled  the  coal 
mines  so  abundant  in  that  vicinity  until  no  fuel  could  be  obtained. 
The  people  were  more  likely  to  freeze  than  starve  and  against  this 
there  was  no  provision. 

We  quickly  removed  our  headquarters  from  Cincinnati  to  Evans- 
ville,  three  hundred  miles  below  and  at  the  head  of  the  recent  scene  of 
disaster.  A  new  staunch  steamer  of  four  hundred  tons  burden  was 
immediately  chartered  and  laden  to  the  water's  edge  with  clothing 
and  coal;  good  assistants,  both  men  and  women  were  taken  on  board; 
the  Red  Cross  flag  was  hoisted  and  as  night  was  setting  in,  after  a 


THE  OHIO  RIVKR  FLOODS.  ii; 

day  of  intense  cold — amid  surging  waters  and  crashing  ice,  the  float- 
ing wrecks  of  towns  and  villages,  great  uprooted  giants  of  the  forest 
plunging  madly  to  the  sea,  the  suddenly  unhoused  people  wandering 
about  the  river  banks,  or  huddled  in  strange  houses  with  fireless 
hearths — the  clear-toned  bell  and  shrill  whistle  of  the  "Josh  V. 
Throop"  announced  to  the  generous  inhabitants  of  a  noble  city  that 
from  the  wharves  of  Evansville  was  putting  out  the  first  Red  Cross 
relief  boat  that  ever  floated  on  American  waters. 

The  destroyed  villages  and  hamlets  lay  thick  on  either  bank,  and 
the  steamer  wove  its  course  diagonally  from  side  to  side  calling  the 
people  to  the  boat,  finding  a  committee  to  receive  and  distribute,  and 
learning  as  nearly  as  possible  the  number  of  destitute  persons,  put  off 
the  requisite  quantity  of  clothing  and  coal,  and  steamed  away  quickly 
and  quietly  leaving  sometimes  an  astonished  fcic^  sometimes  a  multi- 
tude to  gaze  after  and  wonder  who  she  was,  whence  she  came,  what 
that  strange  flag  meant,  and  most  of  all,  to  thank  God  with  tears  and 
prayers  for  what  she  brought. 

In  this  manner  the  Red  Cross  proceeded  to  Cairo,  a  distance  of 
four  hundred  miles,  where  the  Ohio  joins  the  Mississippi  River,  which 
latter  at  that  time  had  not  risen  and  was  exciting  no  apprehension. 
Returning,  we  revisited  and  resupplied  the  destitute  points.  The 
government  boats  running  over  the  same  track  were  genial  and 
friendly  with  us,  and  faithful  and  efficient  in  their  work. 

It  should  be  said  that,  notwithstanding  all  the  material  we  had 
shipped  and  distributed,  so  abundant  had  been  the  liberality  of  the 
people  that  on  our  return  to  Evansville  we  found  our  supply  greater 
than  at  any  previous  time. 

At  this  moment,  and  most  unexpectedly,  commenced  the  great 
rise  of  the  Mississippi  River,  and  a  second  cry  went  out  to  the  govern- 
ment and  the  people  for  instant  help.  The  strongest  levees  were 
giving  way  under  the  sudden  pressure,  and  even  the  inundation  of  the 
city  of  New  Orleans  was  threatened.  Again  the  government  appro- 
priated money,  and  the  War  Department  sent  out  its  rescue  and  ration 
boats,  and  again  the  Red  Cross  prepared  for  its  supplemental  work. 

In  an  overflow  of  the  Mississippi,  owing  to  the  level  face  of  the 
country  and  the  immense  body  of  water,  the  valley  is  inundatcfl  at 
times  thirty  miles  in  width,  thus  rendering  it  impossible  to  get  animals 
to  a  place  of  safety.  Great  numbers  drown  and  the  remainder,  in  a 
prolonged  overflow,  have  largely  starved,  the  government  having 
never  included  the  domestic  animals   in  its  work  of   relief.      This 


ii8  THE  RED  CROSS. 

seemed  an  omission  of  vital  importance,  both  humanely  and  economi- 
cally considered,  and  the  Red  Cross  prepared  to  go  to  the  relief  of  the 
starving  animals  of  the  Mississippi  valley.  It  would  also  supply 
clothing  to  the  destitute  people  whom  the  government  would  feed. 

The  navigation  of  the  Mississippi  River  calls  for  its  own  style  of 
boats  and  pilotage,  the  latter  being  both  difficult  and  dangerous, 
especially  with  the  changed  channels  and  yawning  crevasses  of  a 
flood. 

The  steamer  "Throop"  was  left  at  Evansville  and  the  "Mattie 
Bell"  chartered  at  St.  Louis  and  laden  with  corn,  oats,  hay,  meal  and 
salt  for  cattle ;  clothing  and  cooking  utensils  for  the  destitute  people ;  tea, 
coffee,  rice,  sugar  and  medicines  for  the  sick:  and  as  quickly  as  possible 
followed  the  government  steamers  leaving  the  same  port  with  rations 
of  meat  and  meal.  These  latter  boats  kindly  burdened  themselves 
with  large  quantities  of  our  forage  which  our  overladen  boat  could  not 
contain. 

We  soon  found  that  our  judgment  in  regard  to  the  condition  of 
the  animals  had  been  correct.  Horses,  mules,  cows,  sheep  and  pigs 
had  been  hastily  gotten  upon  floating  rafts  and  platforms  of  logs 
raised  above  the  water,  or  had  taken  refuge,  as  many  as  could,  on  the 
narrow  strips  of  land,  known  as  broken  levees,  say  eight  to  twelve  feet 
in  width,  just  peering  above  the  water;  and  here  they  stood  often 
crowded  beyond  the  possibility  of  lying  down,  with  no  morsel  of  food 
save  the  wee  green  leaves  and  tips  of  the  willow  branches  and  gray 
moss  which  their  pitying  owners,  largely  poor  negroes,  could  gather  in 
skifl^s  and  bring  to  them.  Day  by  day  they  stood  and  wasted,  starved, 
and  their  bodies  floated  down  the  stream,  food  for  the  birds  of  prey  hov- 
ering above.  Week  after  week  hour  after  hour  the  mighty  river,  pour- 
ing through  its  monster  crevasses,  spread  wider  and  wider  every  hour. 
We  left  our  steamer  at  times  and  were  rowed  out  in  little  boats  for 
miles  alongside  of  the  levees,  and  went  among  the  cattle.  Some  waded 
out  into  the  water  to  their  backs  to  reach  after  the  green  scum  which 
gathered  and  swam  delusively  upon  the  surface.  Some,  unable  to 
stand,  lay  stretched  at  length  with  head  and  horns  dabbling  in  the 
mud,  fearlessly  turning  great  pitiful  eyes  upon  us  as  we  approached. 
Others,  reeling,  followed  us  tamely  about,  as  if  beseeching  us  to  feed 
them.  I  need  not  add  that  they  were  fed.  Committees  of  both 
white  and  colored  persons  were  formed  and  the  requisite  quantity 
of  food  for  the  animals  and  clothing  for  the  people  were  left  with 
these  committees  at  every  needy  point.       Our  steamer  was  reladen, 


THE  OHIO  RIVER  FLOODS.  uy 

or  our  supplies  replenished  at  each  available  port,  and  in  this  manner 
we  passed  to  New  Orleans,  and  returning,  resupplied  our  connnittees. 

The  necessity  for  a  change  of  boat  on  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi 
has  been  mentioned;  that  the  "Throop"  was  discharged  at  Evansville 
and  the  Red  Cross  body  passed  over  to  St.  Louis.  Perhaps  some 
reference  to  the  journals  of  that  date  would  best  illustrate  the  necessity 
for  these  movements,  as  -.veil  as  the  spirit  of  the  people  and  of  the 
times. 

l-'ioni  an  editorial  in  the  Chicago  Inter-Ocain  of  2\larch  31,  iJ<84, 
the  following  extract  is  taken: 


The  day  is  not  far  distant— if  it  has  not  already  come — when  the  American 
people  will  recognize  the  Red  Cross  as  one  of  the  wisest  and  best  systems  of  phil- 
anthropic work  ill  modern  times.  Its  mission  is  not  accomplished  when  it  has 
carried  the  generous  offerings  of  the  people  to  their  brethren  who  have  met  with 
sudden  calamity.  It  does  not  stop  with  the  alleviation  of  bodily  suffering  and  the 
clothing  of  the  destitute — blessed  as  that  work  is,  when  wisely  done,  so  as  not  to 
break  down  the  manly  spirit  of  self-help.  The  Red  Cross  has  become  a  grand 
educator,  embodying  the  best  principles  of  social  science,  and  that  true  spirit  of 
charity  which  counts  it  a  sacred  privilege  to  serve  one's  fellowmea  in  time  of 
trouble.  The  supplying  of  material  wants — of  food,  raiment  and  shelter  is  only  a 
small  part  of  its  ministry.  In  its  work  among  suffering  humanity,  when  fire  or 
flood  or  pestilence  has  caused  widespread  desolation,  the  Red  Cross  seeks  to  carry 
to  people's  hearts  that  message  which  speaks  of  a  universal  brotherhood.  It  is  all 
the  time  and  everywhere  sowing  the  seed  of  brotherly  kindness  and  goo<lwill, 
which  is  destined  in  time  to  yield  the  fruits  of  world-wide  peace.  Once  let  the  love 
of  doing  good  unto  others  become  deeply  rooted  and  practiced  as  an  international 
custom,  and  arsenals  and  ironclad  navies  will  give  way  to  the  spirit  of  equity.  War 
will  cease  as  a  relic  of  barbarism,  and  peace  will  shed  its  benedictions  over  all 
nations. 

From  the  Evansville yi^/^/v/a/ of  April  3,  the  following: 

The  president  of  the  Red  Cross  left  for  St.  Louis  last  night,  where  she  will 
take  charge  of  a  steamer  which  has  been  chartered  under  her  direction  for  relief 
-service  in  the  lower  Mississippi.  .  .  .  The  mission  of  the  Reil  Cross,  which  has 
done  such  wonderful  and  effective  work  in  the  Ohio  valley,  is  not  yet  completed. 
The  lower  Mississippi  cries  for  aid.  The  destruction  of  property  below  the  mouth 
of  the  Ohio  is,  if  possible,  greater  than  was  experienced  on  the  Ohio.  Life  has  not 
been  in  such  desperate  peril,  but  property  has  been  swept  away  by  oceans  of  water, 
and  the  landowner,  with  corn  and  cotton  fields,  has  been  reduced  to  pauperism 
.  .  .  This  year  the  overflow  has  been  of  such  a  character  tiiat  neither  crop, 
mortgage,  nor  advance  are  safe,  and  the  renter  and  half-share  farmer  must  suffer. 
The  Red  Cross  comes  to  the  rescue.     Miss  Barton  will  be  accompanieil  by  .several 


ijo  THE  RKD  CROvSS. 

ladies  from   this  city  and  will  bi;  joined  by  many  gcnUemeu  and  ladies  from  St. 
Louis. 

From  the  St.  Louis  Democrat,  April  4,  the  following: 

Miss  Clara  Barton  arrived  at  the  "  Southern  "  yesterday  morning.  Miss  Barton 
is  accompanied  by  Mrs.  De  Bruler  and  Miss  Knola  Lee,  of  Evansville,  Ind.,  Dr.  J. 
B.  llubbell,  field  agent,  and  Mr.  John  Hitz,  of  Washington,  D.  C.  The  members 
of  the  party  were  busily  engaged  yesterday  in  superintending  the  loading  of  the 
steamer  "  Mattie  Bell,"  which  leaves  for  the  inundated  districts  of  the  lower  Mis- 
sissippi this  morning.  Miss  Octavia  Dix,  secretary  of  the  St.  Louis  branch  of  the 
Red  Cross,  will  accompany  the  expedition. 

The  brave  men  of  the  Fifth  Corps  in  the  Cuban  War  of  1898, 
endured  hunger  and  thirst  and  other  conditions  better  remembered 
than  described.  Some  of  them  partook  of  the  gracious  offerings  of 
hot  gruel,  malted  milk,  boiled  rice,  apple  wine,  and  prune  cordial  at 
the  hands  of  Mrs.  Dr,  Gardner.  It  will  perhaps  interest  them  to 
know  that  she  is  the  same  who,  as  Miss  Enola  Lee,  was  one  of  the 
company  of  the  "Mattie  Bell"  in  1884. 

Some  of  the  men  of  the  War  of  1861  may  remember  the  officer  who 
had  charge  of  the  Commissary  Department  at  Washington.  I  shall  never 
forget  the  man  who,  despite  all  rank  and  position,  stood  many  an  hour 
of  many  a  day  beside  my  army  wagons  loading  at  his  headquarters, 
and  who  wisely  directed  the  selection  of  material  best  suited  to  and 
most  needed  at  the  proposed  terminus  of  the  dark  and  weary  journey 
I  was  about  to  undertake — it  was  then  Colonel,  now  General  Beckwith 
of  the  regular  army.  He  was  in  1884,  holding  the  position  of  Com- 
missar)'- at  St.  Louis.  In  the  same  old  time  spirit  and  in  the  old  time 
way  he  came  upon  the  deck  of  our  little  steamer,  and  directed  the 
placing  of  the  supplies  of  the  "Mattie  Bell.  "  One  will  never  forget 
the  terror  depicted  on  his  fine  face  when  he  saw  the  bales  of  hay  taken 
on  board.  "Great  heavens,  you  are  not  going  to  risk  that!  Think 
of  it — you  in  the  middle  of  that  great,  rushing  river,  no  land  in  sight, 
and  your  ship  on  fire!"  Still,  the  risk  was  taken,  and  both  the  ship 
and  the  stock  were  saved. 

A  few  hours  previous  to  the  sailing  of  the  "Mattie  Bell"  from  St. 
Louis  a  stranger  came  on  board  and  asked  to  be  permitted  to  go  with 
us.  There  was  nothing  very  remarkable  in  his  appearance,  either  for 
or  against;  but  on  general  principles  we  objected  to  taking  on  a  stran- 
ger without  some  good  reason  for  it,      His  quiet  persistence,  however, 


THE  OHIO  RIVER  FLOODS.  121 

won,  and  perhaps  through  lack  of  active  measures  on  the  part  of  some 
one  he  went.  He  was  a  silent  man — walked  by  himself,  or  stood  alone 
on  some  unfrequented  corner  of  the  deck.  As  we  got  lower  down  and 
more  tributaries  were  pouring  their  contributions  into  the  mighty 
volume  that  rolled  and  seethed  about  and  beneath  us,  the  danger 
became  more  imminent.  Running  after  dark  was  out  of  the  question, 
and  timely  orders  were  given  one  afternoon  to  tie  up  for  the  night; 
but  our  captain,  anxious  to  make  a  headland  a  few  miles  further  on, 
begged  permission  to  run  a  little  later,  sure  he  could  reach  it  before 
dark. 

His  request  was  rather  reluctantly  granted,  and  as  we  steamed 
on  a  fog  and  mist  came  up  and  night  set  in  with  us  still  afloat.  In 
less  than  a  half  hour  the  stranger  rushed  to  me  with:  "We  are  in  a 
crevasse !  We  must  pull  out  or  we  are  lost !  I  have  warned  the  engi- 
neer and  captain.  "  The  forward  rush  of  the  boat  ceased ;  she  stood 
still,  pulled  first  one  way  then  the  other,  shivered  and  struggled  amid 
the  shrieks  of  the  reversed  engine,  while  we  waited,  thoroughly 
aware  of  the  s-tuation  and  the  doom  awaiting  us  all,  depending  on  the 
power  and  strength  of  one  mute  body  of  steel  and  one  firm  man  at  the 
helm.  At  length  the  struggling  ceased;  the  engines  had  triumphed 
over  the  current.  We  commenced  to  move  slowly  backward,  and  with 
a  grateful  awe  in  our  hearts  that  no  words  could  express  we  found  a 
place  of  safety  for  the  night. 

Daylight  revealed  to  us  a  crevasse  opened  the  day  before  where 
the  river  had  broken  through  to  a  width  of  thirty  rods,  with  the  water 
pouring  down  a  depth  of  twelve  or  fifteen  feet  in  a  perfect 
torrent  into  the  current  below,  and  rolling  off  in  a  self  made  track  to 
some  other  stream  or  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 

I  have  no  way  of  accounting  for  this  incident,  but  the  reader  will 
perhaps  not  be  "too  hard"  on  me,  if  I  say  with  the  father  of  "Little 
Breeches,"  "I  have  believed  in  God  and  the  angels  ever  since  one 
night  last  spring." 

Dowx  THE  Mississippi. 

Down  the  Mississippi  all  was  changed.  Two  worlds  could  scarcely 
differ  more.  The  ofttimes  shoreless  waste  of  waters;  the  roaring 
crevasse  through  the  broken  levees;  the  anxious  ebony  faces  and  the 
hungry  animals  that  "looked  up  and  were  not  fed, "  among  whom  and 
which  we  floated,  could  not  fail  to  carry  our  thoughts  br.ck  ct  times 


I-' J  THE  RED  CROSS. 

to  the  history  of  the  Deluge  and  the  Ark.  The  simile,  however,  had 
this  important  difference;  we  were  by  no  means  so  good  as  to  be 
preserved,  nor  they  so  bad  as  to  be  destroyed. 

Any  bare  description  of  this  voyage  constitutes  only  the  woody 
framework  of  the  structure.  You  will  readily  imagine  that,  when  it 
should  be  clothed  with  its  ever  recurring  incidents  it  would  become  a 
very  different  edifice.  Never  a  day  that  did  not  bring  us  incidents  to 
be  remembered,  sometimes  sad  and  touching,  sometimes  laughable  or 
ridiculous. 

The  rough,  tattered  and  uncouth  garb  of  the  Ohio  River  farmer 
and  woodsman  was  offset  by  his  quick  wit  and  sterling  sense,  and  the 
rude  dialect  of  the  Southern  negro  was  buried  out  of  sight  by  his 
simple  faith.  But  the  most  touching  of  all  was  the  honest  gratitude 
which  poured  out  on  every  side. 

These  people  adopted  the  Red  Cross  and  those  who  bore  it,  and 
we,  in  turn,  have  held  to  them.  We  selected  helpers  from  among 
them,  banded  them  together,  gave  them  responsibility  and  thus  made 
them  mutual  helps  to  each  other  and  to  us  as  well,  in  case  of  subse- 
quent disaster. 

One  day  as  we  were  near  the  left  bank  of  the  river  we  saw  a  small 
herd  of  cattle  wading  out  far  into  the  water  for  what  they  could  reach. 
A  few  cabins  stood  back  of  them.  Steaming  as  near  as  we  could  we 
made  fast  to  the  body  of  a  small  fig  tree  and  called  the  negroes,  men 
and  women,  to  us  in  their  skiff. 

It  proved  to  be  a  little  neighborhood  of  negroes  with  no  w^hite 
"boss,"  as  they  say,  but  had  their  own  mules  and  cows  and  were 
farming  independently.  But  the  food  and  feed  were  gone.  The 
government  boats  had  passed  without  seeing  them,  and  no  help  had 
come  to  them.  Their  mules  and  cows  were  starving;  they  had  no  one 
to  apply  to.  They  had  their  little  church ;  and  their  elder,  a  good, 
honest-faced  man,  who  led  them  onto  the  boat,  told  the  story  of  their 
sufferings  and  danger.  We  selected  two  men  and  two  women,  formed 
them  into  a  committee  of  distribution  and  wrote  out  formal  directions 
and  authority  for  them.  But  before  presenting  it  to  them  to  sign,  I 
asked  them  seriously  if  we  left  these  supplies  with  them  if  they 
thought  they  could  share  them  honestly  with  each  other  and  not 
quarrel  over  them. 

They  were  silent  a  moment.  Then  the  tallest  of  the  women  rose 
up,  and  with  commanding  gesture  said:  "Miss,  dese  tings  is  from  de 
Lord ;    dey  i?  not  from  you,  caze  you  is  from  Him,     He  sent  you  to 


THE  OHIO  RIVER  FLOODS.  123 

bring  dem.  We  would  not  dare  to  quarrel  ober  deni  things;  we  would 
not  dare  not  to  be  honest  wid  'em." 

I  presented  the  paper  with  no  further  pledge.  It  was  signed  with 
one  name  and  three  marks.  The  supplies  were  put  off  on  the  only 
little  spot  of  land  that  could  be  reached.  The  negroes  left  the  boat 
and  stood  beside  the  pile,  which  seemed  a  little  mountain  in  the  level 
space  of  waters.  We  raised  steam  and  prepared  to  put  off,  expecting 
as  we  did  so  some  demonstration,  some  shout  of  farewell  from  our  new- 
found friends  on  shore  and  held  our  handkerchiefs  ready  to  wave  in 
reply — not  a  sound — and  as  we  "rounded  to"  and  looked  back,  the 
entire  group  had  knelt  beside  the  bags  of  grain  and  food  and  not  a 
head  or  hand  was  raised  to  bid  us  speed.  A  Greater  than  we  had 
possessed  them,  and  in  tearful  silence  we  bowed  our  heads  as  well  and 
went  our  way. 

After  the  first  rush  of  danger  was  over  and  repairs  commenced 
among  the  business  men,  it  was  not  always  easy  to  find  faithful  willing 
agents  to  distribute  supplies  among  those  who  had  nothing  left  to 
repair  but  their  stomachs,  and  no  material  for  this. 

At  Point  Coupee  the  Mississippi  sends  out  a  false  branch  of  thirty 
miles  in  length,  forming  an  island,  and  again  joining  the  main  river 
at  Hermitage.  These  are  known  as  False  River  and  Island.  The 
government  boats  had  not  entered  False  River,  and  there  was  great 
want  among  both  people  and  cattle. 

All  the  way  down  we  were  besought  to  hold  something  back  for 
this  point.  At  Hermitage  we  found  the  one  business  man,  owner  of 
the  boat  which  plied  the  thirty  miles  of  river,  its  warehouse  and  all. 
He,  of  course,  was  the  only  man  who  could  take  charge  of  and  distri- 
bute relief  around  the  island  ;  and  Captain  Trudeau  was  sought.  He 
was  a  young,  active  man,  full  of  business,  just  pulling  out  of  his  own 
disaster,  and  did  not  know  how  to  attend  to  it.  "Guessed  the  trouble 
was  most  over  up  there;  hadn't  heard  much  about  it  lately."  We 
knew  better  and  felt  discouraged  that  persons  could  not  be  found  of 
sufficient  humanity  to  distribute  relief  when  brought  to  them. 

I  was  sitting  heart  sore  and  perplexed  in  my  stateroom  trying  to 
think  out  a  way  when  two  rather  young  women  of  prepossessing 
appearance  entered  with  a  bouquet  of  early  flowers  for  me,  introducing 
themselves  as  Mrs.  and  Miss  Trudeau,  wife  and  sister  of  the  captain. 
I  scarcely  felt  gracious,  but  those  fair  womanly  faces  were  strong  to 
win,  and  I  entered  into  conversation  asking  Mrs.  Trudeau  what  she 
thought  of  the  condition  of  the  people  of  the  i.sland.     Her  face  grew  sad 


'J  THE  RED  CROSS. 

as  she  said  in  touching  tones,  "Indeed,  I  cannot  say,  Miss  Barton;  my 
husband's  boat  runs  around  twice  a  week  and  I  tried  to  go  on  it  for  a 
while,  but  the  sight  of  such  destitution  and  those  starving  cattle, 
mules,  cows,  horses  and  sheep  were  beyond  my  endurance,  I  had 
nothing  to  give  them,  and  I  could  not  see  it,  and  so  left  off  going." 

"Would  you  ladies  take  the  agency  of  the  Red  Cross  to  deliver 
supplies  to  these  people?" 

I  shall  not  forget  the  appropriate  and  womanly  manner  in  which 
this  delicate  lad}^  received  the  abrupt  proposition — no  hesitation,  no 
surprise,  no  self-depreciation,  no  simpering,  but  the  straightforward 
reply,  "We  would,  most  willingly  and  gladly,  and  do  our  best.  Our 
warehouse  could  store  them,  our  boat  take  and  we  distribute  them," 
The  customary  official  document  was  at  once  drawn  up  and  signed. 

An  hour  later  the  busy  captain  rushed  in  to  see  how  nmch  was 
really  expected  of  him. 

"Captain,"  I  said,  "I  have  found  agents  to  distribute  our  relief, 
and  very  satisfactorily,  I  think,  and  shall  be  able  to  release  you  from 
all  responsibility."  His  fine  face  fell;  he  had  not  expected  this  and 
in  spite  of  all  did  not  relish  being  quite  relieved  from  duty.  I  went 
on:  "You  will  have  some  share  in  it,  captain.  For  instance,  you  will 
supply  storage  in  3'our  warehouse;  your  boat  will  take  supplies  on  any 
day  when  demanded.  Your  men  will  handle  and  load  all  material. 
You  will,  in  short,  provide  all  accommodations,  do  all  the  work,  meet 
all  the  cost,  obey  orders  implicitly,  but  have  none  of  the  credit!  Mrs. 
and  Miss  Trudeau  are  my  agents." 

The  good  fellow  fairly  threw  up  his  hat.  "Good!  That's  just 
what  I'm  used  to.  It  shall  be  done. "  And  it  was  done;  but  how  well 
it  was  done  I  could  not  describe  to  you — not  only  wisely  and  well,  but 
elegantly. 

The  captain's  warehouse  had  little  empty  space  after  our  cargo  of 
supplies  had  gone  into  it.  The  next  day  but  one  would  be  the  day 
appointed  for  Governor  McEnnery,  of  Louisiana,  to  make  at  Point 
Coupee  his  re-election  speech,  which  would  call  all  the  people  of  the 
island  who  could  reach  it  to  that  point  to  see  and  hear  the  popular 
governor.  The  little  steamer  "Governor  Wiltz"  was  laden  with  sup- 
plies, and  under  direction  of  Madame  Trudeau  proceeded  to  Point 
Coupee  in  order  to  meet  the  people,  learn  the  needs,  and  inform  every- 
one that  supplies  and  relief  were  at  hand.  The  gallant  governor 
addressed  the  crowd  from  the  deck  of  the  "Governor  Wiltz"  under  the 
Red  Cross  flag,  and  took  passage  on  her  down  the  river. 


THE  OHIO  RIVER  FLOODS.  125 

We  resupplied  these  agents  011  our  return.  We  did  this  all  the 
way  among  both  white  and  black.  And  from  that  time  the  Red  Cross 
has  had  faithful,  willing  agents  along  all  the  uncertain  track  of  the 
lower  Mississippi. 

Months  later,  in  January,  i885,  when  a  sea  voyage,  foreign 
travel,  the  cares  of  an  international  conference  of  military  men,  the 
splendor  of  foreign  courts,  much  of  weariness  and  illness  had  passed 
between,  and  I  had  thought  all  those  little  days  of  river  work  gone 
from  memory,  I  found  myself  in  the  upper  gallery  of  the  New  Orleans 
Exposition,  and  stepping  in  at  a  restaurant  at  the  end  of  the  hall  was 
met  by  Colonel  Lewis,  the  noted  colored  caterer  of  the  South.  He  had 
been  on  the  relief  committee  of  New  Orleans  appointed  to  meet  our 
steamer  at  the  time  of  our  visit  in  May. 

He  came  with  cordial  recognition,  seated  me  and  was  telling  me 
of  his  success  in  the  restaurant  when  all  his  waiters,  men  and  women, 
seemed  to  forget  their  work  and  stood  gazing  at  us.  The  colonel 
smiled  and  said,  "They  have  caught  sight  of  the  Red  Cross  brooch  at 
your  neck  and  recognize  you  by  it.  They  will  come  to  themselves  in 
a  few  minutes." 

Next  day  I  went  in  again  for  my  lunch,  when  Colonel  Lewis 
brought  tome  a  little,  thin,  white-haired  mulatto  man  of  seventy-three 
years,  but  still  able  to  take  charge  of  and  direct  the  help  at  the  tables, 
saying,  "This,  Miss  Barton,  is  Uncle  Amos,  whom  I  promised  yester- 
day to  introduce  to  j'ou  when  3'ou  came  again.  Uncle  Amos  is  my 
most  true  and  faithful  man."  I  reached  out  for  the  withered,  hard, 
dark  bony  hand  he  gave  me  as  he  said:  "Yes,  Miss  Barton,  I  wants 
to  see  and  speak  to  you,  to  tell  you  in  de  name  of  our  people 
how  grateful  dey  is  for  what  your  society  has  done  for  dem.  Dat  is 
never  forgot.  You  come  to  us  when  we  had  nothing.  You  saved 
what  was  never  saved  befo'  in  a  flood,  our  cattle,  so  dey  could  go  on 
and  help  derselves  to  raise  something  to  eat.  Dey  has  all  heard  of  it; 
all  talk  about  it  in  de  churches  and  de  meetings.  Our  people  is 
singular  in  some  tings;  dey  never  forgets  a  kindness.  Dey  hab 
notions.  Dey  hab  a  way  of  nailing  up  a  hoss-shoe  obcr  de  do'  for 
luck.  I  want  to  tell  you  dat  in  a  thousand  little  cabins  all  up  and 
down  dis  river  dey  has  put  up  a  little  Red  Cross  ober  de  do'  and 
every  night  before  dey  goes  to  bed  dey  names  your  name  and  prays 
God  to  bless  you  and  de  Red  Cross  dat  He  sent  to  dem  in  time  of 
trouble  and  distress."  Uncle  Amos  looked  straight  in  my  face  the 
while.    Colonel  Lewis  wiped  hiseyes,  and  I  got  away  as  fastas  I  couM. 


126  THE  RED  CROSS. 

It  would  scarcely  be  faithful  to  the  subject  of  this  relief  if  some 
mention  were  not  made  of  the  third  trip,  namely,  that  of  the  voyage 
up  the  Ohio  after  the  fall  of  the  waters  and  the  attempted  return  of  the 
people  to  their  former  homes. 

From  an  editorial  of  the  Evansville  Joiirnal,  May  28,  1884, 
headed  "Good  By  Red  Cross,"  we  make  an  extract  or  two  which  has 
reference  to  the  voyage  and  its  purposes: 


The  Red  Cross,  having  concluded  its  labors  on  the  Ohio  River  below  this 
point,  will  start  to-day  for  the  upper  Ohio  and  go  as  far  as  Pittsburg,  relieving  the 
meritorious  cases  on  the  way.  .  .  ,  The  "Josh  V.  Throop,"  which  has  been 
rechartered  for  this  trip,  was  loaded  last  Saturday.  A  part  of  the  load  was  distrib- 
uted between  this  point  and  Cave-in-Rock,  and  the  room  made  vacant  by  the 
lower  river  distribution  was  filled  with  additional  stores  yesterday  which  will  be 
distributed  up  the  river.  The  load  consists  of  what  the  people  in  the  overflowed 
country  will  want  and  most  need.  There  is  clothing  in  immense  quantities,  over 
a  hundred  plows,  large  quantities  of  rakes,  hoes,  scythes,  spades,  shovels,  groceries, 
flour,  meat,  meal,  corn,  bedsteads,  chairs,  buckets,  tubs,  tables,  queeusware,  tinware, 
pots,  kettles,  skillets,  etc. 

This  trip  was  arranged  in  general  at  Cincinnati,  when  Miss  Barton  first  came 
West.  At  that  time  her  policy  took  definite  shape  and  it  has  never  changed.  She 
saw  that  the  government  was  providing  for  all  the  immediate  necessities  of  the 
sufferers  and  looked  forward  to  the  time  when  the  unfortunate  people  would  come 
almost  hopelessly  back  to  ruined  homes — come  back  to  find  houses,  furniture,  tools, 
food,  everything  gone — and  although  aid  would  have  been  extended  during  the 
calamity  by  the  government  and  benevolent  institutions,  the  ruined  people  would 
have  but  a  poor  chance  to  proceed  in  the  business  of  life.  This  was  the  anticipated 
ojiportunity  of  the  Red  Cross;  this  was  the  time  Miss  Barton  foresaw  would  be 
pregnant  with  possibilities  for  doing  large  good,  and  the  event  has  fully  justified 
her  prophetic  view  of  the  situation.  The  load  now  on  the  "Throop"  will  not 
only  provide  for  the  house,  it  will  do  much  for  the  farm. 

It  would  be  difficult  to  imagine  a  vo5'age  more  replete  with  live 
interest  than  this  beautiful  May  passage  from  Evansville  to  Pittsburg. 

The  banks  were  dotted  with  the  marks  of  torn  and  washed-out 
homes;  and  occasional!}'  one  found  the  familj',  from  father  and  mother 
to  the  w^ee  little  ones,  gathered  about  the  bare  spot  that  once  was 
home,  trying  in  vain  to  find  enough  of  the  buried  timbers  to  recom- 
mence a  framework  for  another  house,  if  ever  they  could  build  it, 
with  all  the  hunger  and  need  for  dail}'  food  staring  them  in  the  face. 

Picture,  if  possible,  this  scene:  A  strange  ship,  with  two  flag.«;, 
steaming  up  the  river;  it  halts,  turns  from  its  course,  and  draws  up  to 
the  nearest  landing.     Some  persons  disembark  and  speak  a  few  minutes 


THE  OHIO  RIVER  FLOODS.  127 

with  the  family;  then  a  half  dozen  strong  mechanics  man  a  small  boat 
laden  with  ail  material  for  constructing  a  one-room  house,  take  it  to 
the  spot  and  commence  putting  it  up.  Directly  here  is  a  structure 
with  floor,  roof,  doors,  windows  and  walls;  the  boat  returns  for  furni- 
ture. Within  three  hours  the  strange  ship  sails  away  leaving  a 
bewildered  family  in  a  new  and  clean  house,  with  a  bed,  bedding, 
table,  chairs,  clothing,  dishes,  candles,  a  well-made  little  cooking  stove, 
with  blazing  fire,  with  all  the  common  quota  of  cooking  utensils,  meat, 
meal,  groceries,  a  plow,  rake,  axe,  hoe,  shovel,  spade,  hammer, hatchet 
and  nails,  etc.  We  ask  few  questions,  they  none;  but  often  it  proves 
that  the  little,  bare,  boyhood  feet  of  that  desolated  father  had  once 
skipped  through  the  dewy  grass  of  the  green  hills  of  New  England, 
the  brave  old  parent  of  States,  where  great  riches  are  slow  to  come, 
and  famishing  hunger  never  enters. 

Again,  referring  to  the  Evansville  Journal  oi  May  28  we  find  the 
following: 


A  band  of  little  folks  in  Chicago,  called  the  "  Busy  Bees,"  were  organized  in  a 
plan  to  extend  succor  to  the  suffering  and  collected  a  large  box  of  goods  which 
they  sent  to  Miss  Barton,  with  the  request  that  it  might  be  put  where  it  would  do 
the  most  good.  She  was  some  time  in  finding  a  place  where  she  could  put  it  with 
the  greatest  satisfaction  to  the  givers  and  the  donees.  She  found  the  opportunity 
she  had  been  looking  for  yesterday.  On  her  last  voyage  a  gentleman  at  Cave-in- 
Rock  told  her  that  a  poor,  but  worthy,  family  was  in  that  vicinity,  and  on  becoming 
acquainted  with  the  family  Miss  Barton  gave  them  some  supplies  and  left  fifteen 
dollars  with  the  gentleman  aforesaid,  to  either  give  to  the  family  or  spend  for  them 
as  he  might  think  best.  He  concluded  that  it  would  be  judiciously  expended  by 
the  people  for  whom  it  was  intended  and  accordingly  turned  it  over  to  them.  The 
woman  of  the  family  came  some  days  afterward  to  the  gentleman,  bringing  with 
her  another  woman  who  was  very  destitute,  and  said:  "This  is  my  neighbor,  and 
I  have  come  to  ask  you  if  you  think  Miss  Barton  would  care  if  I  divided  my  fifteen 
dollars  with  her."  "Most  certainly  not,"  was  the  reply;  and  then,  out  of  her 
penury  did  this  poor  woman  giv  She  retained  ten  dollars  and  gave  five.  Yester- 
day Miss  Barton  divided  the  contents  of  the  store  the  "Busy  Bees"  had  gathered 
among  these  two  families,  consisting  of  eight  and  five  persons  respectively.  When 
she  was  delivering  the  goods  to  the  poor  woman  who  had  generously  shared  with 
her  neighbor,  Miss  Barton  gave  her  back  her  five  dollars,  and  said:  "  You  have  read 
where  it  is  said.  He  that  giveth  to  the  poor  Icndeth  to  the  Lord,  and  He  has  sent  it 
back  already." 

On  February  11,  1884,  Congress,  in  response  to  appeals  from  Ohio, 
Kentucky  and  West  Virginia, appropriated  $300,000  for  the  relief  of  the 
people  who  had  lost  their  homes  and  other  property  by  the  Ohio  River 


128  THR  RED  CROSS. 

floods.  On  February  15,  the  first  appropriation  having  been  consid- 
ered hardly  sufficient  to  meet  the  demands,  $200,000  more  were  appro- 
priated for  the  same  purpose,  making  $500,000  in  all  to  be  expended 
untler  the  direction  of  the  War  Department.  A  boat  load  of  supplies 
was  sent  down  the  river  from  Pittsburg;  two  boats  left  Cincinnati, 
one  going  up  the  river  and  the  otiier  down;  one  boat  went  down  the 
river  from  Louisville  and  a  fifth  boat  was  sent  down  the  river  from 
Hvansville.  Afterward  some  additional  boats  were  sent  out  from 
other  places.  Between  February  15  and  March  15,  536,000  rations 
were  distributed  by  the  government  at  a  cost  of  $350,000.  The  re- 
maining $150,000  were  transferred  to  the  Mississippi  flood  relief. 

In  the  official  report  of  the  relief  furnished  to  the  Ohio  River 
flood  sufferers,  written  by  R.  P.  M.  Ames,  Assistant  Surgeon  U.  S. 
Marine  Hospital  Service,  Evansville,  Ind. ,  he  speaks  as  follows  of  the 
part  taken  by  the  Red  Cross  in  this  work: 


At  this  time  also  the  Red  Cross  Association  came  actively  to  the  front  for  now 
had  the  time  arrived  when  this  association,  of  all  others,  could  do  the  most 
good.  .  .  .  Through  its  instrumentality  much  suffering  and  destitution  has 
been  relieved  throughout  the  Ohio  valley  which  it  would  have  been  almost  impos- 
sible to  reach  but  for  this  organization.  With  Miss  Clara  Barton  at  the  head,  and 
a  large  corps  of  active  and  intelligent  assistants,  the  relief  work  performed  bj-  this 
association  has  been  most  thorough  and  efficacious.  Contributions  of  money  and 
clothing  have  been  sent  to  all  points  in  the  inundated  districts  of  the  Ohio  valley 
where  such  assistance  was  needed,  while  a  thorough  and  careful  investigation  by 
members  of  the  association  of  the  flooded  territory  has  rendered  the  aid  most 
beneficial.  As  soon  as  it  became  apparent  that  the  suffering  from  the  high  water 
would  necessitate  the  various  relief  movements,  Miss  Barton  removed  her  head- 
quarters from  Washington,  D.  C,  to  Cincinnati.  O.,  where  she  carefully  and 
intelligently  superintended  the  distribution  of  a  large  amount  of  supplies  donated 
from  all  parts  of  the  countrj',  consisting  of  money,  food,  clothing  and  fuel.  As 
the  water  receded  then  came  the  time  for  the  relief  proffered  by  this  association  to 
be  given. 

After  remaining  several  days  in  Cincinnati  and  relieving  all  the  suffering  so  far 
as  it  was  met  with,  Miss  Barton,  on  March  3,  removed  her  headquarters  to  Evans- 
ville, Ind.,  where  arrangements  were  at  once  commenced  to  reach  and  aid  the 
sufferers  between  this  point  and  Cairo,  111.  Captain  J.  V.  Throop  kindly  placed 
his  steamer,  the  "Josh  V.  Throop,"  at  the  disposal  of  the  Red  Cross  without  any 
expense  except  the  actual  running  cost  of  the  boat.  The  steamer  was  at  once 
loaded  with  an  immense  quantity  of  boxes,  barrels,  bales  and  bundles  of  clothing, 
being  donations  from  various  private  parties  and  relief  organizations  throughout 
the  country  which  had  been  accumulating  here  for  some  time,  together  with  a 
large  amount  of  bedding  and  fuel,  and  started  on  its  mission  of  mercy  down  the 
river  in  charge  ot  Miss  Clara  Barton,  Saturday,  March  8,  1884. 


THE  OHIO  RIVER  FLOODS.  129 

Miss  Barton  was  accompanied  and  assisted  on  this  trip  by  Dr.  J.  B.  Hubbell, 
of  Washington,  D.  C,  the  field  agent  of  the  association;  Rev.  E.  J.  Galvin,  agent 
of  the  Chicago  Red  Cross  Association;  Miss  Hamilton,  of  St.  Louis,  with  Mrs.  De 
Bruler  and  several  other  Evansville  ladies.  Relief  was  given  to  all  the  sufferers 
needing  it  below  Evansville  and  Wickliff,  Ky.,  below  Cairo.  The  party  reached 
Cairo  March  15,  and  after  proceeding  down  the  river  to  Wickliff,  Ky.,  turned 
back,  arriving  at  Evansville  March  20.  In  addition  to  the  supplies  mentioned, 
the  Kev  E.J.  Galvin,  of  Chicago,  had  placed  at  his  disposal  |25,ooo,  from  which 
checks  were  drawn  and  left  with  any  party  needing  financial  assistance.  Miss 
Barton  and  her  corps  of  assistants  remained  in  Evansville  after  their  return  until 
Apiil  2,  when  the  relief  transactions  throughout  the  Ohio  valley  having  been  prac- 
tically finished,  she  removed  her  headquarters  to  St.  I<oui.s,  Mo.,  where  a  relief 
boat  was  at  once  fitted  out  and  similar  assistance  tendered  to  the  sufferers  in  the 
inundated  districts  of  the  lower  Mississippi.  Miss  Barton  was  further  aided  on  this 
trip  by  Mr.  John  Hitz,  of  Washington,  D.  C. 

On  May  25th  Miss  Barton  made  a  second  trip  down  the  Ohio  with  the 
steamer  "  Josh  V.  Throop  "  under  charter  with  household  supplies  and  farm- 
ing implements  for  the  recent  sufferers.  The  boat  went  as  far  as  Elizabeth- 
town,  or  possibly  a  few  miles  below,  and  then  turning  back,  proceeded  up 
stream  to  Wheeling  or  Pittsburgh  till  the  supplies  were  exhausted. 


130  THE    RKD   CROSS. 


"THE  LITTLE  SIX." 

It  is  possible  that  some  readers  may  recall  the  story  of  the  "  Little 
Six,"  which  was  locally  published  at  the  time,  but  which  I  venture  to 
reproduce,  as  an  extract  from  the  Erie  Dispatch,  of  Monday  March  24, 
1884: 

Dispaii/i  readers  doubtless  recollect  its  account  some  weeks  ago  of  the  manner 
in  which  six  children  of  Waterford  gave  a  public  entertainment  for  the  benefit  of 
the  Ohio  flood  sufl'erers;  how  they  themselves  suggested  it;  how  their  efforts  were 
crowned  with  success;  and  how  they  brought  the  entire  proceeds,  I51.25,  raised  by 
their  unpaid  efforts,  to  the  editor  of  the  Dispatch  with  the  request  that  the  latter 
forward  it  "  where  it  would  do  the  most  good."  The  Dispatch  complied  by  for- 
warding it  to  Miss  Clara  Barton,  president  of  the  American  Red  Cross  Association. 
The  following  letter  tells  the  storj'  of  the  disposition  of  the  money.  The  names 
of  the  noble  little  band,  of  which  any  town  in  the  nation  ought  lobe  proud  of,  are: 
Reed  White,  Florence  Howe,  Lloyd  Barton,  Joe  Farrar,  Mary  Barton,  Bertie 
Ensworth.     The  oldest  is  twelve  years  of  age. 


MISS  BARTON'S  LETTER. 

A  TOUCHING  INCIDRNT  VERY  TOUCHINGI^Y  REI,ATED. 

Red  Cross  Relief  Steamer,  "Josh  V.  Throop," 
OFF  Shawneetown,  Illinois, 

Ohio  River,  March  iS,  iSS^, 
Mr.  M.  E.  Camp,  Editor  of  the  Erie  Dispatch: 

At  length,  I  have  the  happiness  to  inform  you  that  I  have  placed  the  con- 
tribution of  the  brave  Little  Six  to  my  own  satisfaction,  and,  as  I  believe,  to  the 
satisfaction  of  the  little  donors  and  the  friends  interested  in  them  as  well.  Your 
letter  inclosing  the  touching  article  describing  their  pretty  thought  and  act,  and 
the  check  for  the  sum  donated  by  them  to  the  sufferers  from  the  floods,  came 
during  the  early  days  of  hurry  and  confused  activity.  The  entire  matter  was  too 
beautiful  and  withal  unique,  to  meet  only  a  common  fate  in  its  results.  I  could 
not,  for  a  moment,  think  to  mmgle  the  gift  of  the  little  dramatists  with  the 
common  fund  for  general  distribution,  and  sought  through  all  these  weeks  for  a 
fitting  disposition  to  make  of  it,  where  it  would  all  go  in  some  special  manner  to 
relieve  some  special  necessity.  I  wanted  it  to  benefit  some  children  who  had 
"  wept  on  the  banks  "  of  the  river  which  in  its  madness  had  devoured  their  home. 
I  watched  carefully  all  the  way  down  on  this  trip,  and  tried,  last  Sunday,  at 
Smithland  on  our  return  to  make  a  little  "  foundation  "  for  a  children's  help  and 
instruction  at  that  town  which  had  suffered  so  terribly;  but  I  could  not  satisfy 
myself,  and  after  telling  the  pretty  story  to  the  best  people  of  the  town  assembled 
on  our  boat,  I  still  declined  to  leave  the  appropriation,  waiting  in  confi^\eu,ce  for 


"THE  LITTLR  vSlX."  131 

the  real  opportunity  to  present  and  which  we  have  met  in  the  last  hour.  As  we 
ncared  that  picturesque  spot  on  the  Illinois  side  of  the  Ohio,  known  as  "Cave-in- 
Rock,"  we  were  hailed  by  a  woman  and  her  younj^  daughter.  The  boat  "  rounded 
to "  and  made  the  landing  and  they  came  on  board— a  tall,  thin  worn 
wotnan  in  a  tattered  suit,  with  a  good,  but  inexpressibly  sad  face,  who 
wished  to  tell  us  that  a  package  which  we  had  left  for  her  at  the  town 
on  our  way  down  had  never  reached  her.  She  was  a  widow — Mrs.  Plew — whose 
husband,  a  good  river  pilot,  had  died  from  overwork  on  a  hard  trip  to  New  Orleans 
in  the  floods  of  the  Mississippi  two  years  before,  leaving  her  with  six  children 
dependent  upon  her,  the  eldest  a  lad  in  his  "  teens,"  the  youngest  a  little  baby  girl. 
They  owned  their  home,  just  on  the  brink  of  the  river,  a  little  "  farm  "  of  two  or 
three  acres,  two  horses,  three  cows,  thirty  hogs  and  a  half  hundred  fowls,  and  in 
spite  of  the  bereavement  they  had  gone  on  bravely,  winning  the  esteem  and  com- 
mendation of  all  who  knew  them  for  thrift  and  honest  endeavor.  Last  year  the 
floods  came  heavily  upon  them,  driving  them  from  their  home,  and  the  two  horses 
were  lost.  Ne.xt  the  cholera  came  among  the  hogs  and  all  but  three  died.  Still 
they  worked  on  and  held  the  home.  This  spring  came  the  third  flood.  The  water 
climbed  up  the  bank,  crept  in  at  the  door  and  filled  the  lower  story  of  the  house. 
They  had  nowhere  to  remove  their  household  goods,  and  stored  them  in  the  garret 
carefully  packed  and  went  out  to  find  a  shelter  in  an  old  log  house  near  by,  used 
for  a  corn  crib.  Day  by  day  they  watched  the  house,  hailed  passing  boats  for  the 
news  of  the  rise  and  fall  of  the  water  above,  always  trusting  the  house  would 
stand — "and  it  would,"  the  mother  said  ("for  it  was  a  good,  strong  house),  but  for 
the  storm."  The  wind  came  and  the  terrible  gale  that  swept  the  valley  like  a  tor- 
nado, with  the  water  at  its  height,  leveling  whole  towns,  descended  and  beat  upon 
that  house  and  it  fell.  In  the  morning  there  was  no  house  there  and  the  waves  in 
their  fury  rushed  madly  on.  Then  these  little  children  "  stood  and  wept  on  the 
banks  of  the  river,"  and  the  desolation  and  fear  in  the  careful  mother's  heart,  none 
but  herself  and  her  God  can  know. 

They  lived  in  the  corn-crib,  and  it  was  from  it  they  came  to  hail  us  as  we 
passed  to-day.  Something  had  been  told  us  of  them  on  our  downward  trip,  and 
a  package  had  been  left  them  at  "Cave-in-Rock,"  which  they  had  not  received. 
We  went  over  shoe-tops  in  mud  to  their  rude  home,  to  find  it  one  room  of  logs, 
an  old  stone  chimney,  with  a  cheerful  fire  of  drift-wood  and  a  clean  hearth,  two 
wrecks  of  beds,  a  table,  and  two  chairs,  which  some  kind  neighbor  had  loaned. 
The  Government  boats  had  left  them  rations.  There  was  an  air  of  thrift,  even  in 
their  desolation,  a  plank  walk  was  laid  about  the  door,  the  floor  was  cleanly  swept, 
and  the  twenty-five  surviving  hens,  for  an  equal  number  was  lost  in  the  stonn, 
clucked  and  craiked  comfortably  about  the  door,  and  there  were  two  and  a  half 
dozen  fresh  eggs  to  sell  us  at  a  higher  rate  than  paid  in  town.  We  stood,  as  we 
had  done  so  many  scores  of  times  during  the  last  few  weeks,  and  looked  this  piti- 
ful scene  in  the  face.  There  was  misfortune,  poverty,  sorrow,  want,  loneliness, 
dread  of  future,  but  fortitude,  courage,  integrity  and  honest  thrift. 

"  Would  she  like  to  return  to  the  childhood  home  in  Indiana?  "  we  asked  the 
mother,  for  we  would  help  them  go. 

"  No,"  she  said  tenderly.  "My  husband  lived  and  died  here.  He  was  buried 
here,  and  I  would  not  like  to  go  away  and  leave  him  alone.  It  won't  be  very 
long,  and  it  is  a  comfort  to  the   children  to  be  able  to  visit  his  grave.       No,  I 


132  THE   RED   CROSS. 

recko!!  we  will  stay  here,  and  out  of  the  wreck  of  the  old  house  which  sticks  up 
out  of  the  mud,  we  will  put  another  little  hut,  hijjher  up  in  the  bank  out  of  the 
way  of  the  flrxxls,  and  if  it  is  only  a  hut,  it  will  be  a  home  for  us  and  we  will  get 
into  it." 

There  were  no  dry  eyes,  but  very  still  hearts,  while  we  listened  to  this 
sorrowful  but  brave  little  speech,  made  with  a  voice  full  of  tears. 

Our  thoughtful  field  agent.  Dr.  Hubbell,  was  the  first  to  speak. 

"  Here  are  six  children,"  he  said  with  an  inquiring  glance  at  nie. 

No  response  was  needed.  The  thing  was  done.  We  told  the  mother  the 
story  of  the  "  Little  Six  "  of  Waterford,  and  asked  her  if  that  money  with  enough 
more  to  make  up  one  hundred  dollars  would  help  her  to  get  up  her  house  ?  It  was 
her  turn  to  be  speechless.  At  length  with  a  .struggling,  choking  voice  she  managed 
to  say — "  God  knows  how  much  it  would  be  to  me.  Ves,  with  my  good  boys  I  can 
do  it,  and  do  it  well." 

We  put  in  her  hands  a  check  for  this  sum,  and  directed  from  the  boat  clean 
boxes  of  clothing  and  bedding,  to  help  restore  the  household,  when  the  house  shall 
have  been  completed. 

Before  we  left  her,  we  asked  if  she  would  name  her  house  when  it  would  be 
done.     She  thought  a  second  and  caught  the  idea. 

"Yes,"  she  replied  quickly,  with  a  really  winsome  smile  on  that  worn  and 
wear}'  face,  "yes,  I  shall  name  it  'The  Little  Six,'  " 

And  so,  dear  Mr.  Camp,  will  you  kindly  tell  those  brave  little  philanthropic 
dramatists,  that  they  are  to  have  a  house  down  on  the  banks  of  the  great  rolling 
river,  and  that  one  day,  I  think,  will  come  a  letter  to  tell  them  that  another  six 
children  are  nightly  praying  God  to  bless  them  for  the  home  that  will  shelter  them 
from  the  floods  and  the  storms. 

Sincerely  and  cordially  yours, 
Clara  Barton. 

In  repl}'  the  following  letters  were  received: 

W^A.TERFORD,  Pa.,  March  25,  1R84. 
M.  E.  Camp,  Editor  of  Erie  Dispatch: 

Dear  Sir:  The  "Little  Six  "  met  yesterday  and  wrote  the  accompanying 
letter,  which  they  would  like  to  have  you  forward  to  Miss  Clara  Barton.  They 
wish  me  to  thank  you  for  sending  them  copies  of  your  paper  containing  Miss  Bar- 
ton's beautiful  letter  to  them.  If  j-ou  or  Miss  Barton  ever  had  anj*  doubts  in 
regard  to  a  child's  appreciation  of  favors  shown,  I  wish  you  could  have  seen  those 
bright,  happy  faces  as  they  gave  three  cheers  for  "ye  editor"  and  three  times 
three  for  Miss  Clara  Bartoii  and  the  "  Home  of  the  Little  Six  "  on  the  banks  of  the 
Ohio. 

Mrs.  Loyd  Benson,  Committee. 

Waterford,  March  24,  1884. 
Dear  Miss  Barton: 

We  read  your  nice  letter  in  the  Dispatch,  and  we  would  like  very  much  to  see 
that  house  called  "The  Little  Six,"  and  we  are  so  glad  we  little  six  helped  six 


"THE  UTTLE  SIX."  133 

other  little  children,  and  we  thank  you  for  going  to  so  much  trouble  in  putting 
our  money  just  where  we  would  have  put  it  ourselves. 

Sometime  again  when  you  want  money  to  help  you  in  your  good  work,  call 
on  the  "  L/ittle  Six. " 

Joe  Farrar,  twelve  years  old. 

Fl^ORENCE  Howe,   eleven  years  old. 

Mary  Barton,  eleven  years  old. 

Reed  White,  eleven  years  old. 

Bertie  Ensworth,  ten  years  old. 

L1.0YD  Barton,  seven  years  old. 

It  cotild  not  fail  to  have  been  a  satisfaction  to  me  to  know  that  I 
had  done  my  work  as  they  would  have  ' '  done  it  themselves. ' ' 

As  long  as  we  remained  on  the  river  this  family  was  occasionally 
visited  by  our  boat.  On  one  occasion  a  strong  flagstaff  twenty  feet  in 
length  was  taken  and  firmly  set  upon  the  bank  near  where  they  would 
place  their  house.  Its  well-lettered  cross  board  at  the  top  showed 
"  L,ittle  Six  Red  Cross  Landing,"  and  this  point  has  remained  a  land- 
ing on  the  Ohio  River  probably  unto  this  day. 

During  this  trip  on  the  upper  Ohio,  which  was  even  3'et  scarcely 
safe  for  running  at  night,  we  had,  after  a  hard  day's  work,  found  a 
cove  and  tied  our  boat  for  the  night.  It  was  a  rather  sequestered  spot, 
and  the  appearance  of  a  full-size  river  steamer,  halting  for  the  night  on 
one  of  its  banks,  attracted  the  attention  of  the  few  people  residing  there, 
and  at  dusk  a  body  of  five  or  six  men  came  to  the  boat  to  ask  if  we 
were  in  trouble  that  w^e  stopped  there,  and  if  there  were  anything  they 
could  do  for  us.  We  quieted  their  kindly  apprehensions  and  invited 
them  on  board.  The  lights  revealed  a  condition  of  personal  poverty 
which  should  have  more  naturally  asked  help  than  offered  it.  On  the 
entire  trip  with  its  thousands  of  miles,  among  white  and  black,  we  had 
never  seen  such  evidences  of  destitution.  They  scarcely  could  have 
decently  gone  among  civilized  people,  and  yet  as  they  spoke,  there  was 
no  lack  of  sense.  On  the  contrary,  they  seemed  in  many  ways  to  be 
men  of  the  world.  Their  language,  while  provincial,  had  nothing 
uncommon  in  it,  and  altogether  they  were  a  study  to  us.  We 
gave  them  some  supper,  and  while  eating,  learned  the  facts  of  their 
lives. 

Either  by  blood  or  marriage,  they  were  all  relatives,  consisting  of 
six  families,  making  in  all  about  thirty  people.  They  all  lived 
together — rtich  living  as  it  was — and  there  seemed  to  be  among  them  a' 
perfectly  good  understanding.  They  had  always  lived  on  the  river 
banks,   probably  more  on  the  river  than   off"  of  it.     They   vvere  not 


i.U  THE   RKD   CROSS. 

farmers,  never  planted  or  raised  anything^,  subsisting  mainly  upon  fish 
and  the  floating  drift  to  be  picked  up.  Thus,  they  clung  to  the  river 
like  the  muskrat  and  beavsr,  and  were  washed  out  with  every  flood. 
Sixteen  of  them  at  that  time  were  living  under  some  slanting  boards. 

After  supper  our  men  quietly  invited  them  to  the  clothing  depart- 
ment on  the  stem  of  the  ship,  and  exchanged  their  garments. 

Thus  we  got  hold  of  these  people,  clothed,  fed,  encouraged  and 
advised  them,  got  them  into  houses,  furnished  them,  formed  them  into 
a  little  colony,  put  up  a  landing  named,  at  their  own  request,  "  Red 
Cross  Big  Six,"  and  took  care  of  the  women  and  children.  Every 
man  foreswore  his  drink,  his  cards  and  his  betting,  and  went  to  work 
for  the  first  time  in  his  life. 

We  found  a  faithful  merchant  to  stand  by,  advise  them  and  report 
to  us.  From  year  to  year  we  have  helped  to  keep  them  clothed.  The 
children  immediately  went  to  school,  and  the  next  year  for  the  first  time 
they  planted  land  and  raised  their  own  food;  and  the  growing  thrift 
and  strange  prosperity  of  this  body  of  heretofore  vagrants  began  after  a 
time  to  excite  tfie  envy  of  its  neighbors,  wlio  thought  they  were  getting 
on  better  than  themselves,  and  their  merchant  friend  had  to  repel  it. 

Only  one  or  two  of  them  could  write  a  little,  but  they  made  good  use 
of  their  accomplishment  as  far  as  possessed.  One  day  I  received  a 
letter  from  one  of  their  savants,  Charley  Hunter,  out  of  which  among 
much  that  was  encouraging,  with  considerable  labor,  I  deciphered  the 
following:  "  We  are  all  doing  well.  We  don't  drink  or  play  cards  no 
more.  I  got  the  flannel  undershirts  and  drawers  and  the  medicine  you 
sent  me.  My  rhumatis  is  better.  I  know  now  I  have  got  two  friends; 
one  is  you  and  the  other  is  God," 

I  was  sorry  he  named  me  first;  I  do  not  think  he  intended  it.  I 
might  add  that  two  years  later  these  people  had  united  with  the  church; 
that  the  children  were  all  in  school,  and  that  one  daughter  was  being 
educated  for  a  teacher. 

On  the  lower  Ohio  one  of  the  villages  most  wrecked  by  the  waters 
and  the  cyclone  was  Smithland,  an  old  aristocratic  borough  on  the 
Kentucky  side.  They  had  no  coal,  and  we  supplied  them  as  we  went 
down.  On  our  return  we  lowered  steam  and  threw  out  our  landing 
prow  opposite  the  town.  The  whistle  of  the  ' '  Throop  ' '  was  as  welcome 
to  their  ears  as  the  flag  to  their  eyes. 

It  was  a  bright,  clear,  spring  morning  and  Sunday.  In  an  hour 
the  entire  little  hamlet  of  people  stood  on  our  decks;  only  four,  they 
said,  were  left  at  home,  and  these  sick  and  infirm.     They  had  selected 


"THE  LITTLE  SIX."  135 

their  lawyer  to  speak  their  thanks,  and  they  had  chosen  well.  No 
words  will  ever  do  justice  to  the  volume  of  native  eloquence  which 
seemed  to  roll  unbidden  from  his  lips.  We  listened  in  mute  surprise 
until  he  finished  with  these  sentences  : 

At  noon  on  that  day  we  were  in  the  blackness  of  despair.  The  whole  village 
in  the  power  of  the  demon  of  waters,  hemmed  in  by  sleet  and  ice,  without  fire 
enough  to  cook  its  little  food.  When  the  bell  struck  nine  that  night,  there  were 
seventy-five  families  on  their  knees  before  their  blazing  grates,  thanking  God  for 
fire  and  light,  and  praying  blessings  on  the  phantom  ship  with  the  unknown  device 
that  had  come  as  silently  as  the  snow,  they  knew  not  whence,  and  gone,  they  knew 
not  whither. 

A  few  days  later  we  finished  the  voyage  of  relief,  having  covered 
the  Ohio  River  from  Cincinnati  to  Cairo  and  back  twice,  and  the  Mis- 
sissippi from  St.  Louis  to  New  Orleans  and  return,  occupying  four 
months'  time  on  the  rivers,  in  our  own  chartered  boats,  finishing  at 
Pittsburg  and  taking  rail  for  Washington  on  the  first  of  July,  having 
traveled  over  eight  thousand  miles,  and  distributed  in  relief,  of  money 
and  estimated  material,  $175,000. 

The  government  had  expended  an  appropriation  from  the  treasury' 
on  the  same  waters  of  $150,000  in  money,  and  distributed  it  well.  The 
difference  was  that  ours  was  not  appropriated;  we  gathered  it  as  we 
used  it. 


THE  TEXAS  FAMINE. 


CCASIONAIv  rumors  reached  us  in  the  years  1885  and  1886 
;  about  a  drouth  in  Texas  and  consequent  suffering,  but 
they  were  so  contradictory  and  widely  at  variance  that 
the  public  took  little  or  no  heed  of  them.  During  the 
year  of  1886  the  Rev.  John  Brown,  a  North  Presbyterian 
minister,  located  at  Albany,  Shackelford  County,  Texas, 
began  making  appeals  by  circular  and  oral  address  to  the  people  of  the 
Northern  States,  in  which  he  asserted  that  there  were  a  hundred 
thousand  families  in  northwestern  Texas  who  were  utterly  destitute 
and  on  the  verge  of  starvation.  He  stated  that  since  the  close  of  the 
war  a  large  number  of  poor  families  had  been  constantly  crowding  into 
Texas  from  the  Southern  States  principally,  induced  thither  by  land 
agents  and  others,  who  gave  glowing  representations  of  the  character 
of  the  soil  for  farming  purposes. 

These  poor  people,  by  hard  labor  and  industry,  had  been  generally 
able  to  make  a  living  and  nothing  more.  The  last  fall  they  had  planted 
wheat  and  other  grain  quite  extensively,  but  the  rains  came  not  and 
everything  perished;  and  in  the  following  spring  and  summer,  too, 
everything  put  into  the  ground  was  blasted  by  the  hot  winds,  so  that 
not  a  thing  was  raised  for  man  or  beast.  For  fifteen  months  no  rain 
had  fallen,  and  the  condition  of  the  people  was  pitiable  and  called  aloud 
to  the  charitable  throughout  the  land  for  relief  They  must  be  carried 
through  to  the  next  summer  or  they  would  perish.  At  a  meeting  of 
the  citizens  of  Albany,  Texas,  they  decided  that  the  task  of  relieving 
the  sufferers  was  greater  than  the  well-to-do  people  of  the  State  were 
able  to  undertake,  and  that  an  appeal  should  be  made  to  the  good- 
hearted  people  of  the  North  for  immediate  aid.  The  Governor  of 
Texas  also  published  an  appeal  to  the  people  of  the  whole  land,  asking 
for  food  for  these  people.  But  as  there  was  no  concerted  action,  and  so 
many  denials  of  the  stories  of  suffering,  little  or  nothing  in  the  way 
of  relief  work  was  accomplished  for  some  time.  Spasmodic  attempts 
were  made,  and  some  food  for  man  and  beast  was  contributed,  but  not 
enough  to  relieve  a  hundredth  part  of  the  needy. 

(136) 


THK  TICXAS  FAMINE  137 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Brown  went  to  the  State  Capital  and  endeavored  to 
interest  the  Legislature  in  the  matter,  but  there  were  seenaingly  so  nuich 
misunderstanding  and  unbelief,  and  so  many  conflicting  interests  to 
reconcile,  that  he  failed  to  receive  any  substantial  assurances  and  left 
the  place  in  disgust.  When  the  citizens  of  Texas  could  not  agree  as  to 
the  necessities  of  their  own  people  it  was  not  to  be  expected  that  the 
citizens  of  the  country  would  take  much  interest  in  them,  hence  the 
relief  movement  languished  from  inanition. 

About  the  middle  of  January,  1887,  Dr.  Brown  came  to  Washing- 
ton and,  as  solicitor  and  receiving  agent  for  the  committee  which  had 
issued  an  appeal  to  the  country,  appealed  to  me,  as  president  of  the 
American  National  Red  Cross,  asking  our  organization  to  come  to  the 
relief  of  the  people,  who  were  in  a  deplorable  state,  greatly  needing 
food  and  clothing.  I  immediately  shipped  to  Texas  all  the  stores  that 
were  then  in  our  warehouse,  but  they  were  no  great  quantity. 

An  appeal  direct  to  the  Red  Cross  required  immediate  attention, 
and  I  at  once  sought  a  conference  with  President  Cleveland,  who  was 
greatly  worried  over  the  contradictory  stories  that  were  constantly 
printed,  and  was  anxious  to  learn  the  truth  about  the  matter.  When  I 
said  that  I  should  go  to  Texas  and  see  for  myself,  he  was  greatly 
pleased,  and  requested  me  to  report  to  him  the  exact  situation  just  as 
soon  as  I  had  satisfied  myself  by  personal  investigation. 

Dr.  Hubbell  and  I  proceeded  directly  to  Albany,  Texas,  where  we 
arrived  near  the  end  of  January.  We  were  met  by  the  leading  citizens 
and  most  heartily  welcomed  and  accorded  every  privilege  and  attention. 
We  began  our  investigations  at  once  in  a  systematic  way,  carefully 
noting  ever^^thing  we  heard  and  saw;  and  in  the  course  of  a  two  weeks' 
trip  over  the  afflicted  region,  we  learned  the  extent  of  the  need  and 
formulated  plans  for  its  relief. 

Making  Albany  our  object  point,  we  traveled  by  private  conveyance 
over  such  territory  as  we  thought  sufficient  to  give  a  correct  knowledge 
of  the  condition  of  the  country  and  the  people.  We  met  large  numbers 
of  the  residents,  both  collectively  and  at  their  homes,  and  learned  from 
them  personally  and  by  actual  observation  their  condition  and  what 
they  had  to  depend  upon  during  the  next  few  months.  It  will  be  Ixjrne 
in  mind  that  when  we  entered  upon  this  investigation  little  or  no  relief 
had  come  from  the  State,  and  none  was  positively  assured. 

Almost  no  rain  had  fallen  during  a  period  of  eighteen  months; 
two  planted  crops  had  perished  in  the  grt)und,  and  the  .seed  wheat  sown 
*he  previous  fall  gave  no  signs  of  life.     The  dust  was  rolling  over  the 


i;^S  Till-:    RI'I)    CROSS. 

great  wind-swept  fields,  where  the  i)eople  had  hidden  their  last  little 
forlorn  hope  of  borrowed  seed,  and  literally  a  heaven  of  brass  looked 
down  npon  an  earth  of  iron. 

Here  were  twenty  to  forty  counties  of  a  size  commensurate  with 
Texan  dimensions  occupied  by  new  settlers,  making  their  first  efforts 
in  the  pioneer  work  of  developing  home  life  in  an  untried  country,  soil 
and  climate.  They  had  put  their  all  into  the  new  home  and  the  little 
stock  they  could  afford  for  its  use.  They  had  toiled  faithfully,  planted 
two  and  three  times,  as  long  as  there  was  anything  to  plant  or  sow, 
and  in  most  instances  failed  to  get  back  their  seed.  Many  had  grown 
discouraged  and  left  the  country.  The  people  were  not  actually 
starving,  but  they  were  in  the  direst  want  for  many  of  the  necessities 
of  life,  and  it  was  only  a  matter  of  days  when  they  would  have  reached 
the  condition  of  the  reconcentrados  as  we  later  found  them  in  Cuba. 
Hundreds  of  thousands  of  cattle  had  died  for  the  want  of  food  and 
water,  and  their  drying  carcasses  and  bleaching  bones  could  be  seen 
in  every  direction  as  the  eye  wandered  over  the  parched  surface  of 
the  plains. 

I  at  once  saw  that  in  the  vastness  of  its  territory  and  varying 
interests  the  real  need  of  these  suffering  communities  was  not  under- 
stood by  the  Texas  people — it  had  not  come  home  to  them — but  that 
once  comprehending,  it  would  be  their  wish  to  ha.ve  it  known  and 
cared  for  by  themselves  and  not  by  others  outside  of  the  State. 

Assuring  these  poor  people  that  their  actual  condition  should  be 
made  known  to  their  own  people,  through  the  authoritative  means  of 
the  Red  Cross,  and  that  the)^  should  be  speedily  cared  for,  we  bade 
them  farew^ell  and  hurried  away  to  Dallas,  where  we  intended  to  send 
out  a  statement  to  the  people  of  the  State. 

Arriving  there,  we  sought  an  intervaew  with  Colonel  Belo  of  the 
Dallas  Nc7vs  and  laid  before  him  the  result  of  our  observations.  He 
placed  the  columns  of  his  paper  at  our  disposal,  and  through  them  we 
enlightened  the  people  of  the  true  status  of  affairs  in  their  own  State. 
The  response  was  as  quick  as  it  was  gratifying,  and  thence  onward 
there  was  no  further  necessity  for  appealing  to  anyone  outside  of  the 
State  limits.  Indeed,  that  act  in  the  first  place  was  the  greatest  mis- 
take, as  to  the  average  Texan,  feeling  a  genuine  pride  in  the  State's 
wealth  and  resources,  it  savored  of  frauds  and  imposition,  and  prejudiced 
him  against  the  brother  who  would  pass  him  by  and  appeal  to  outsiders. 

The  Texas  Legislature  appropriated  one  hundred  thousand  dollars 
foi  food,  and  in  the  meantime  rain  began  to  fall  and  the  entire  aspect 


THE  TKXAS  FAMINK.  i39 

of  affairs  began  to  change  for  the  better.  But  there  were  still  many 
needs  unprovided  for — clothing,  fuel,  seeds  for  gardens  and  fields,  live 
stock  and  many  other  things — and  it  vi^as  necessary  to  place  these  needs 
before  the  people.  This  the  Nezvs  took  upon  itself  to  do;  and  upon  my 
suggestion  it  opened  a  popular  subscription  and  announced  that  it 
would  receive  contributions  of  seed  or  cash  and  would  publish  the  same 
from  day-  to  day  and  turn  them  over  to  the  constituted  authorities 
appointed  to  disburse  them.  In  order  to  encourage  the  movement  I 
inaugurated  it  with  the  first  subscription,  and  from  that  time  until 
now  I  do  not  believe  any  one  has  heard  of  any  need  in  Texas  that  has 
not  been  taken  care  of  by  her  own  people. 

Congress  had  appropriated  ten  thousand  dollars  for  seed  to  be 
given  the  Texas  drouth  sufferers;  but  President  Clev'eland  promptly 
vetoed  the  act  and  thereby  laid  himself  open  to  a  greal  deal  of  unkind 
criticism.  He  was  right,  however,  and  by  his  resolute  action  saved 
the  nation's  money  and  the  State's  pride.  I  know  that  it  must  have 
been  an  unpleasant  duty  for  the  President  to  feel  compelled  to  apply 
his  pruning  knife  to  that  tender  shoot,  for  he  was  one  of  the  first  to 
respond  with  his  own  personal  check  to  the  call  for  aid  for  the  drouth 
sufferers;  and  the  subject  had  always  held  his  kindly  interest. 

The  services  of  the  Red  Cross,  beyond  those  given  by  its  presi- 
dent and  field  agent  in  making  their  investigation,  were  not  required 
in  this  emergency;  and  as  we  had  ^^erformed  the  duty  most  needed,  viz. : 
to  unravel  the  misunderstanding  and  rightly  inform  the  people  of  the 
true  condition  of  affairs  in  the  stricken  district,  we  concluded  that  our 
task  was  ended  and  that  we  could  return  to  our  home. 

On  our  return  to  Washington  the  following  report  was  made  to  the 
President: 

February  ip,  iSSp. 
To  the  Presidcfit  of  the  United  States: 

Mr.  President — I  have  not  been  unmindful  of  your  distinguished 
permission  to  write  you  concerning  the  condition  of  the  people  of 
Texas  suffering  from  the  drouth.  Desiring  to  spare  your  time  and 
labor  so  far  as  possible,  I  delayed  my  communication  until  the  investi- 
gations should  be  completed,  and  my  opinions  in  regard  to  the  extent 
of  their  necessities,  and  the  sources  from  \vhich  relief  should  properly 
emanate,  could  be  satisfactorily  .settled  in  my  own  mind. 

The  prime  reason  for  my  going  in  person,  to  Texas  was  my  entire 
inability  to  solve  the  mystery  of  why  Texas  was  not  equal  to  the  care 
of  its  own  poor  and  the  meeting  of  its  own   calamities.     T  could  not 


140  Till-:    RICI)    CROSvS. 

comprehend  how  a  couple  of  seasons  of  drouth  in  one  sparsely  settled 
corner  of  an  old  State  of  six  millions  of  acres,  with  a  treasury  out  of 
debt,  should  throw  the  people  of  that  State  upon  the  charity  of  the 
other  States,  or  upon  the  support  of  the  general  government.  My 
investigations  brought  to  light  the  following  perplexed  conditions: 

She  had  contending  interests  between  her  original  cattlemen  who 
wanted  the  lands  left  open,  and  the  farmers  who  came  in  to  settle  them 
up;  the  former  placing  every  obstacle,  like  the  cutting  of  fences  and 
driving  off  stock,  in  the  way  of  the  little  immigrant! 

A  second  conflicting  interest  arose  between  these  same  original 
lords  of  the  soil — the  free  ranchmen — and  those,  who,  through  railroad 
grants  or  purchase,  had  become  actual  owners  of  land  which  they 
desired  to  sell,  and  for  this  purpose,  and  to  this  end,  held  out  unwar- 
ranted inducements,  clothed  in  glowing  descriptions,  both  false  and 
dangerous,  to  encourage  innnigration,  for  which  no  preparation  against 
the  failure  of  crops  from  any  cause,  or  toward  the  opening  of  industries 
of  any  other  kind  had  been  made — not  even  the  taking  care  to  leave  a 
small  sum  at  the  discretion  of  the  governor  in  case  any  harm  might 
befall  these  newly  invited  citizens.  The  immigrants,  on  their  part, 
coming,  as  they  had  been  instructed  to  believe,  into  a  semi-tropical 
climate,  with  exhaustless  soil  covered  with  almost  perpetual  verdure, 
made  no  provisions  beyond  the  wants  of  the  hour.  One  looked  long 
and  generally  in  vain  for  some  trace  of  a  cellar,  or  storehouse,  or  barn, 
or  even  the  marks  of  some  former  hayrick,  which  might  betoken  some 
thought  of  provision  for  the  future  on  the  part  of  these  so-called  farmers. 
Pioneer  like,  they  had  wasted  what  they  could  not  at  the  moment  use. 
In  this  condition  the  drouth  struck  this  section  of  the  country. 

Fearing  the  effect  of  these  conflicting  interests,  the  mistake  was 
made  of  their  coming  out  of  the  State  to  solicit  aid,  in  the  place  of 
turning  bravely  and  confidently  to  the  people  of  her  rich  Southern 
sections  for  help  among  themselves. 

Again,  the  mistake  of  overstatement  was  made,  and  a  poj^ulation 
of  thousands  represented  as  ' '  starving, ' '  when  in  reality  no  one  had 
starved  nor  was  expected  to.  They  were  in  far  too  great  want,  but 
not  "starving."  These  statements  served  to  mortify  and  incense  the 
people,  and  to  turn  the  strength  of  nearly  the  entire  press  of  the  State 
against  the  statements  of  those  representing  the  distress,  and  literally  to 
kill  all  help  from  both  without  and  within. 

Added  to  this,  the  courtesy  of  the  railroads  entering  the  State,  and 
which  at  the  first  call  for  help  had  generously  offered  free  freight  on  all 


THK  TEXAS  FAMINE. 


t4i 


gifts  for  the  drouth  sufferers,  had  most  unfortunately  been  abused,  and 
the  occasion  used  by  dealers  to  send  goods  in  free  to  their  customers 
for  sale.  This  had  the  effect  in  ten  days  to  shut  off  all  free  railroad 
transportation  into  the  State,  and  thus  it  remains  to-day,  and  th'^^ 
freight  on  a  carload  of  gift  oats  from  the  grain  centres  of  the  North- 
west would  exceed  their  value  when  there. 

These  were  a  part  of  the  perplexing  conditions  which  confrontea 
me  upon  my  arrival  in  Albany,  January,  1887. 

The  Legislature  was  occupied  in  electing  a  senator,  and  so  con- 
tinued during  two  weeks,  paying  no  attention  to  the  Relief  bill  before 
it.  Meanwhile,  I  occupied  myself  in  traveling  by  private  conveyance 
among  the  people,  learning  their  conditions  from  themselves.  They 
suffered  every  necessity  but  homelcssjiess,  and  this  was  the  worst  feature 
in  the  case  Lacking  this,  they  would  have  felt  justified  in  going  away 
and  seeking  plenty  in  the  homes  of  others;  but  how  to  pick  up  their 
unfed  children  and  travel  out,  leaving  their  few  cattle  to  the  cowboys 
and  the  farm  to  the  tax  collector. 

I  attempted  to  write  the  real  state  of  things  to  you;  but  of  what 
use?  I  might  as  well  have  sent  you  a  tangled  skein  of  silk  to  pick  out 
for  the  winding.  It  was  clearh^  no  case  for  a  great  call  for  charity 
from  the  people  at  large,  neither  for  governmental  aid.  Te.xas  was  a 
thousand  times  equal  to  it  herself,  when  once  she  looked  it  clearly  in 
the  face  and  set  about  the  work.  This  she  at  length  connnenced  by 
an  appropriation  of  $100,000  for  food. 

As  good  fortune  would  have  it,  rains  commenced,  the  wheat  was 
apparently  saved,  and  hope  revived.  There  was  still  need  for  s'aple 
grains  at  once  to  plant  and  sow  the  fields.  These  must  come  from  the 
people  within  the  State,  as  they  had  closed  all  avenues  from  without, 
and  it  was  proper  they  should  furnish  them.  But  it  could  only  be 
accomplished  by  the  aid  of  the  press,  which  was  still  pointing  its  horns 
at  John  Brown,  who  persisted  in  declaring  that  ' '  a  million  of  dollars 
must  come  from  Congress  or  the  people  of  the  North."  There  was  no 
way  but  to  reach  the  press,  and  turn  its  powers  in  the  true  direction. 

The  arrangement  was  not  difficult  for  us  to  make.  The  colunnis 
of  both  the  Dallas  and  Galveston  News  are  open  for  a  "  Seed  Fund  " 
from  the  State,  pledged  to  close  them  only  when  the  need  is  met.  I  left 
that  night,  feeling  that  the  skein  was  unraveled,  and  our  part  of  the 
work  done. 

I  thank  you  with  all  my  heart,  Mr.  President,  for  the  encourage- 
ment given  me  at  the  connnencement,  and  the  privilege  of  writing  ytm. 


,4J  THK  RED  CROSS. 

I  have  done  this  little  bit  of  work  faithfully,  and  hope  it  may  meet 
your  approval.     I  am  home,  with  scarcely  strength  to  leave  my  bed, 
but  I  trust  we  have  heard  the  last  of  "  Texas  drouth.'' 
I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

Most  respectfully, 

Clara  Barton. 


THE  MOUNT  VERNON  CYCLONE. 

ILLINOIS. 

UNDAY,  February  19,  1888,  will  ever  be  a  memorable  day 
in  the  annals  of  the  little  town  of  Mount  Vernon,  111. — 
a  day  of  supreme  horrors,  destruction  and  death.  There 
had  been  thunder  and  lightning  during  the  afternoon, 
followed  b)'  rain  and  hail,  which  had  given  away  to  an 
ominous  stillness.  The  sky  was  covered  with  a  wierd 
light,  and  the  air  was  strangely  oppressive.  The  clouds 
rapidly  changed  color,  rolling  and  whirling,  and  dropping  nearer  to 
the  earth,  until  suddenly  they  assumed  the  dreaded  shape  of  a  huge 
funnel  or  inverted  cone,  which  came  whirling  along  with  an  awful 
roar,  and  within  three  minutes  after  the  fury  of  the  storm  had  struck 
the  town,  thirty  people  had  been  killed  and  scores  of  others  injured, 
and  an  immense  amount  of  property  destroyed. 

Mount  Vernon  is  the  county  seat  of  Jefferson  county,  and  con- 
tained four  thousand  inhabitants.  It  was  a  pretty  and  prosperous 
place;  its  business  centre  surrounded  a  public  square,  whose  four  sides 
were  lined  with  stores,  and  the  middle  ground  occupied  by  the 
county  court  house,  a  fine  three-story  building;  its  broad  streets  were 
bordered  with  shade  trees  and  lighted  by  electricity. 

The  cyclone  cut  a  broad  swath  through  the  eastern  half  of  the 
town,  destroying  everything  in  its  path,  tearing  down  brick  hou.ses, 
uprooting  trees,  and  picking  up  small  wooden  houses  and  carrying 
them  along  as  if  they  were  made  of  cardboard,  and  finallj'  dashing 
them  to  pieces  against  more  substantial  obstacles.  In  a  very  few 
minutes  after  the  storm  had  passed,  the  sun  shone  out  brightly,  but 
on  what  a  scene!  The  air  was  filled  with  cries  of  anguish  coming 
from  the  maimed  sufferers  crushed  under  the  ruins,  and  with  the  wail- 
ings  for  the  dead  and  missing. 

To  add  to  the  horrors  already  wrought,  fire  broke  out  in  a  dozen 
places.  Those  who  were  uninjured  quickly  came  to  the  rescue, 
quenching  the  flames  and  exerting  themselves  to  relieve  the  unfor- 
tunate victims,   who  were,   in  most  ca.ses,    pinned  down    under  the 

(145) 


T46  THE   RKD   CROSS. 

wreckage  of  their  houses.  All  night  long  these  brave  men  and  women 
worked,  antl  whcMi  morning  came  the  few  houses  that  remained  stand- 
ing were  filled  with  the  dead  and  injured. 

Appeals  for  assistance  were  sent  out  to  the  people  of  the  country, 
but  through  an  improper  statement  of  the  situation,  the  public  was 
misled,  and  not  realizing  the  pressing  needs  of  the  stricken  com- 
munity, failed  to  take  up  the  matter  in  a  business-like  manner,  and 
the  town  was  left  to  suffer  for  a  little  of  the  great  abundance  that  was 
around  them.  In  their  extremity  the  despairing  citizens  appealed 
to  the  Red  Cross  for  aid,  which  responded  at  once. 

A  most  deplorable  situation  was  presented:  the  people  were 
homeless  and  helpless,  neglected,  and  in  a  state  of  mind  bordering  on 
insanity. 

After  a  somewhat  hasty  examination  of  the  situation,  the  follow- 
ing simple  message  was  sent  to  both  the  Associated  and  the  United 
Press : 

The  pitiless  snow  is  falling  on  the  heads  of  three  thousand  people  who  are 
without  homes,  without  food  or  clothing  and  without  money. 

Clara  Barton. 

With  only  this  little  word  to  explain  the  needs,  our  generous 
American  people  responded  promptly  and  liberally,  as  they  always  do 
when  they  fully  understand  what  is  needed. 

It  was  unnecessary  to  remain  longer  than  two  weeks  with  these 
people,  who,  as  soon  as  they  recovered  from  the  first  shock  of  their 
great  misfortune,  and  when  they  felt  that  kind  friends  were  by  their 
side,  lending  them  moral  and  substantial  support,  manfully  commenced 
to  bring  order  out  of  chaos,  to  rebuild  their  town  and  resume  their 
usual  avocations.  Large  quantities  of  relief  supplies  of  all  kinds 
quickly  came  to  hand,  and  when  we  were  ready  to  leave  them,  the 
Citizens'  Committee  had  in  its  treasury  a  cash  balance  of  ninety 
thousand  dollars.  And  thus,  with  their  blessings  ringing  in  our  ears, 
we  left  them. 

We  were  scarcely  home  from  Mount  Vernon  when  the  yellow  fever 
of  Florida  broke  out  in  the  summer  and  autumn  of  1888. 


YELLOW  FEVER  EPIDEMIC  IN  FLORIDA. 


i^URING  the   month  of    August,    1888,    yellow   fever  broKe 

out  in  Jacksonville,  and  in  September  it  was  declared  to 

be  epidemic,  the  usual  alarm  and  exodus  of  citizens  taking 

place.    On  September  eighth  heroic  measures  to  depopulate 

the  city  were  taken.     Every  person  that  was  still  well  and 

could    leave  was  requested  to  go;    very  little  urging  was 

necessary.     Camps   were  established  outside  of  the  city, 

where  those  who  had  not  the  means  to  go  further  and  get   better 

quarters  were  enabled   to  live  under  medical  surveillance,  and  away 

from  the  seat  of  infection. 

The  Mayor  of  Jacksonville  had  made  an  appeal  for  doctors  and 
nurses,  which  had  been  quickly  responded  to,  and  they  were  doing 
everything  possible  to  attend  to  the  rapidly  increasing  number  of 
patients. 

On  the  formation  of  the  Red  Cross  Society  of  New  Orleans  in  1893, 
it  had  been  carefully  and  wisely  arranged  that  in  case  of  yellow  fever 
becoming  epidemic  in  any  place,  no  unacclimated  persons,  or  those  not 
immune,  should  be  sent  as  assistants  by  the  Red  Cross.  New  Orleans 
was  the  home  of  the  famous  "Old  Howard  Association,"  that  had 
won  its  reputation  and  worn  its  grateful  renown  from  the  horrors  of 
Memphis  to  the  present  time.  This  body  freely  united  with  the  Red 
Cross  of  New  Orleans,  and  it  was  arranged  that  the  southern  states, 
through  this  society,  should  provide  all  Red  Cross  nurses  for  yellow 
fever,  and  that  the  northern  portion  of  the  country  should  raise  the 
money  to  pay  and  provide  them.  We  felt  this  to  be  a  security,  and 
an  immediate  provision  which  the  country  had  never  before  known. 
Fearing  that  this  might  not,  at  its  first  inception,  be  fully  understood, 
I  called  at  once  on  Dr.  Hamilton,  then  in  charge  of  the  Marine 
Hospital,  explaining  it  to  him,  and  offering  all  the  nurses  that  could 
be  required,  even  to  hundreds,  all  experienced  and  organized  for 
immediate  action.  Perhaps  it  was  not  strange  that  a  provision  so 
new  and  so  unknown  in  the  sad  history'  of  plagues  and  epidemics, 
should  have  seemed  Eutopian,  and  as  such  been  brushed  aside  as  not 
only  useless,  but  self-seeking  and  obtrusive.      Like  the  entire  organi- 

9  (147) 


148  THE  RKI)  CROSS. 

zatioii  of  which  it  was  a  i)art,  it  had  to  wait  and  win  its  way 
against  custom  or  even  prejudice,  b\'  honest  worth  and  stern  neces- 
sity. It  was  the  "old,  old  story."  The  world  takes  reform  hard 
and  slow. 

As  it  was,  however,  we  did  what  we  could.  Headquarters  were 
established  at  the  Rij^gs  House  in  Washington.  The  good  hearted 
people  of  the  north  who  felt  that  they  must  go  to  Florida,  had  by  some 
means  gotten  the  idea  that  they  must  have  a  pass  from  the  Central 
Conunittee  of  the  Red  Cross  in  order  to  go.  They  came  to  us  in 
hundreds  and  were  mercifully  held  back  from  a  scourge  for  which 
they  would  have  been  both  food  and  fuel.  Whilst  the  entire  people 
of  the  country  in  pity  and  horror  at  the  reports  received,  were  holding 
meetings,  raising  money,  and  pouring  funds  like  water  into  the 
doomed  city  of  Jacksonville,  where  the  scourge  had  centered,  and  to 
which  every  effort  was  made  to  confine  it. 

Not  realizing  the  opposition  there  might  prove  to  be  to  our  nurses, 
we  called  upon  their  old  time  leader.  Colonel  F.  R.  Southmayd,  the 
efficient  secretary  of  the  Red  Cross  Society  of  New  Orleans,  instructing 
him  to  enlist  a  body  of  nurses  and  take  them  at  once  to  the  fever 
district.  He  enlisted  thirty,  both  men  and  women,  white  and 
colored,  took  a  part  with  him,  the  remainder  following  next  day. 

Colonel  Southmayd,  Southern  born  and  bred,  was  a  man  of  quick 
impulse  and  intense  feelings;  his  heart  was  warm  with  the  love  of 
humanity  and  the  sense  of  justice.  He  had  been  identified  with  the 
old  Howard  Association  almost  from  its  inception,  and  had  worked 
through  every  epidemic  of  fever  or  other  disease  that  had  afflicted 
the  South  since  the  war;  and  he  knew  full  well  the  value  of  the 
services  of  his  chosen  nurses.  He  strongly  resented  the  injustice  that 
he  felt  they  were  receiving,  and  naturally  became  involved  in  an 
unfortunate  altercation  with  his  superiors.  In  order  to  restore  peace 
and  remove  an  impediment  to  effective  work,  I  withdrew  the  Colonel, 
requesting  him  to  come  to  Washington  and  assist  the  Central  Com- 
mittee. 

He  came  in  obedience  to  the  call,  but  burning  with  a  sense  of 
indignity  and  injustice  to  himself  and  the  faithful  suffering  nurses  he 
had  brought  —  even  with  the  lack  of  the  good  right  arm  which  had 
swung  his  sword  for  the  Confederate  cause  till  it  dropped  from  the 
shoulder,  he  was  not  an  easy  man  to  hold;  but  duty  to  the  Red 
Cross,  which  he  loved,  and  loyalty  to  its  officers,  whom  he  honored, 


YELLOW  FEVI«:R   EPIDEMIC  IN   FLORIDA.  149 

hold  him  quiet.  He  would  never  return  10  New  Orleans,  but  at  length 
retired  to  some  northern  city,  where,  after  a  few  years  he  died, 
beloved  and  respected  by  those  who  knew  his  proud  high  soul,  sterling 
worth  and  devotion  to  humanity. 

His  was  one  of  the  strong  hearts  that  carried  the  impress  of  its 
memories  and  griefs  to  the  grave,  and  we  always  felt  that  somewhere 
on  that  heart  that  had  ceased  to  beat  could  have  been  found  a  spot  still 
bruised  and  sore  on  which  was  written  Jacksonville. 

Refugees  who  had  fled  from  Jacksonville,  carried  the  plague  to 
several  smaller  places  in  the  surrounding  country,  where  in  some 
instances  it  acquired  quite  a  foothold ;  but  owing  to  their  obscurity  and 
the  lack  of  communication  with  the  outside  world,  they  were  left 
alone  to  fight  the  disease  as  best  they  could.  Among  these  places 
was  the  little  town  of  MacClcnny,  where  as  soon  as  it  became  known 
that  there  was  a  case  of  fever  within  its  limits,  all  trains  were  ordered 
to  rush  through  without  stopping,  and  an  armed  quarantine  was  placed 
around  it  with  orders  to  shoot  anyone  attempting  to  leave  the  town. 
Thus  left  to  their  fate,  without  doctors,  nurses  or  food,  in  any  quantity, 
their  situation  was  pitiable.  There  were  a  number  of  volunteers  who 
had  made  attempts  to  get  into  MacClenny,  but  owing  to  the  unreason- 
ing panic  existing,  they  were  not  permitted  to  enter  the  place. 

Colonel  Southmayd  had  heard  of  these  neglected  people,  and  he 
succeeded  while  en  route  to  Jacksonville  in  dropping  off  ten  nurses  so 
much  needed  at  MacClenny.  How  he  did  this,  I  have  told  in  a  little 
brochure  entitled  "  The  MacClenny  Nurses,"  that  was  issued  at  the 
close  of  the  year  1888  as  a  holiday  greeting,  and  intended  as  a  public 
acknowledgment  of  the  appreciation  in  which  the  Red  Cross  held 
those  noble  men  and  women  who  braved  everything  that  they  might 
serve  their  stricken  brethren.     Following  is  the  story: 


I50  THIv    RICD    CROSS. 

"THE  MacCLENNY  NURwSES.' 


A    HOLIDAY  TRIBUTE 
TO 

RED   CROSS   WORKERS, 

IN 

fVatvn  appreciation  and  grateful  acknowledgment  of  the  faithful  hand's, 
thai  toiled,  and  the  generous  hearts  that  gave. 


BY 

Clara  Barton, 

President  of  the  American  Association  of  the  Red  Crost. 
"THE  MACCLENNY  NURSES." 

During  the  fourth  week  in  November  a  dispatch  to  National  Headquarters 
announced  that  the  last  band  of  Red  Cross  nurses,  known  as  the  MacClenny 
nurses,  had  finished  their  work  at  Enterprise,  and  would  come  into  Camp  Perry 
to  wait  their  ten  days'  quarantine  and  go  home  to  New  Orleans  for  Thanks- 
giving. 

Seventy-nine  days  ago  that  would  mean  that  their  little  company  of 
eighteen,  mainly  women,  steaming  on  to  Jacksonville,  under  guidance  of  their 
old-time  trusted  leader,  vSouthmayd,  of  New  Orleans,  listened  to  his  announce- 
ment that  the  town  of  MacClenny,  thirty-eight  miles  from  Jacksonville,  Florida, 
and  through  which  they  would  soon  pass,  was  in  a  fearful  state  of  distress;  a 
comparatively  new  town,  of  a  few  thousand,  largely  Northern  and  Western  peo- 
ple, suddenl}' stricken  down  in  scores;  poor,  helpless,  physicians  all  ill,  and 
no  nurses;  quarantined  on  all  sides,  no  food,  medicine,  nor  comforts  for  sick 
or  well. 

"Nurses,  shall  I  leave  a  part  of  you  there;  the  train  cannot  stop  in,  nor 
near  the  town,  but  if  I  can  manage  to  get  it  slowed  up  somewhere,  will  you 
jump?" 

"We  will  do  anything  you  say.  Colonel;  we  are  here  in  God's  name  and 
service  to  help  His  people;  for  Him,  for  you,  and  for  the  Red  Cross,  we  will 
do  our  best  and  our  all.  " 

"Conductor,  you  had  a  hot  box  a  few  miles  back;  don't  you  think  it  should 
be  looked  to  after  passing  MacClenny?" 

"I  will  slow  up  and  have  it  seen  to.  Colonel,  although  it  may  cost  me  my 
oflBcial  head."     And  it  did. 

One  mile  be3-ond  town,  the  rain  pouring  in  torrents,  the  ground  soaked, 
slippery,  and  caving,  out  into  pitchy  darkness,  leaped  three  men  and  seven 
women  from  a  puffing,  unsteady  train,  no  physician  with  them,  and  no  instruc- 
tions save  the  charge  of  their  leader  as  the  last  leap  was  made,  and  fhe  train 
pushed  on.     "Nurses,  you  know  what  to  do;  go  and  do  your  best,  and  God 


YELLOW    FJvVI-:r    epidemic    IX    FLORIDA.  151 

help  you."  Hand  to  hand,  that  none  go  astray  in  the  darkness,  they  hobbled 
back  over  a  mile  of  slippery  cross-ties  to  the  stricken  town.  Shelter  was  found, 
the  wet  clothes  dried,  and  at  midnight  the  sick  had  been  parceled  out,  each 
nurse  had  his  or  her  quota  of  patients,  and  were  in  for  the  issue,  be  it  life  or 
death.  Those  past  all  help  must  be  seen  through,  and  lost,  all  that  could  be 
nmst  be  saved.  The  next  day  a  dispatch  from  Southmayd  went  back  to  New 
Orleans  for  Dr.  Gill,  a  Norwegian  by  birth,  tall,  straight,  honest,  and  true  as 
the  pines  of  his  nativeland,  to  come  and  take  charge  of  the  sick  and  the  nurses 
at  MacClenny.  It  was  done,  and  under  his  wise  direction  they  found  again  a 
leader.   Their  labors  and  successes  are  matters  for  later  and  more  extended  record. 

It  is  to  be  borne  in  mind  that  these  nurses  found  no  general  table,  no  table 
at  all  but  such  as  they  could  provide,  find  the  food  for,  and  cook  for  them- 
selves, for  the  sick,  the  children,  and  the  old  and  helpless  who  had  escaped  the 
fever  and  must  be  cared  fur.  No  patient  could  be  left  till  the  crisis  was  passed, 
and  many  are  their  records  of  seventy-two  hours  without  change  or  sleep  or 
scarcely  sitting  down.  As  the  disease  gradually  succumbed  to  their  watchful 
care,  experience  and  skill,  they  reached  out  to  other  freshly  attacked  towns  and 
hamlets.  Sanderson  and  Glen  St.  Mary's  became  their  charge,  and  return  their 
blessings  for  life  preserved. 

On  November  first  it  was  thought  they  could  safely  leave  and  go  into  camp 
for  quarantine;  but  no  regular  train  would  be  permitted  to  take  them.  The 
Red  Cross  secured  and  paid  a  special  train  for  them,  and,  as  if  in  bold  relief 
against  the  manner  of  their  entry  seven  weeks  before,  the  entire  town,  saving 
its  invalids,  was  assembled  at  the  station  at  seven  o'clock  in  the  morning  to  bid 
them  good-by  and  God-speed. 

But  their  fame  had  gone  before  them,  and  "Enterprise,"  a  hundred  miles 
below,  just  stricken  down  among  its  flowers  and  fruits,  reached  out  its  hand 
for  aid,  and  with  one  accord  after  two  days  in  camp,  all  turned  back  from  the 
coveted  home  and  needed  rest  and  added  another  month  of  toil  to  their  already 
weary  record.  At  length  this  was  ended,  and  word  came  again  to  us  that  they 
would  go  into  quarantine.  Their  unselfish,  faithful,  and  successful  record 
demanded  something  more  than  the  mere  sending  of  money.  It  deserved  the 
thanks  of  the  Red  Cross  organization  in  the  best  and  highest  manner  in  which 
they  could  be  bestowed;  it  was  decided  that  its  president,  in  per.son,  should 
most  fittingly  do  this,  and  accordingly  left  Washington  on  the  morning  of 
November  twenty-second  in  company  with  Dr.  Hubbell,  Field  Agent,  for 
Camp  Perry,  the  quarantine  station  of  Florida.  Two  days  and  one  night  by 
rail,  a  few  miles  across  country  by  wagon,  where  trains  were  forbidden  to  stop, 
and  another  mile  or  so  over  the  trestles  of  St.  Mary's  on  a  dirt  car  with  the 
workmen,  brought  us  into  camp  as  the  evening  fires  were  lighted  and  the  bugle 
sounded  su^^per.  The  genial  surgeon  in  charge,  Dr.  Hutton,  who  carried  a 
knapsack  and  musket  in  an  Illinois  regiment  in  '62,  met  us  cordially  and 
extended  every  possible  hospitality.  Soon  there  filed  past  us  to  supper  the  tall 
doctor  and  his  little  flock;  some  light  and  fair-skinned,  with  the  easy  step  of 
a  well-bred  lady,  others  dark  and  bony-handed,  but  the  strong  kind  faces  below 
the  turbans  told  at  a  glance  that  you  could  trust  your  life  there  and  find  it  again. 
They  were  not  disturbed  that  night,  and  no  certain  information  of  our  arrival 
got   among   them.     It   was  cold  and  windy,  and   the  evening  short,  as    nine 


152  Till-:    RKD   CROSS. 

o'clock  brouglit  laps  and  lights  out.  In  spite  of  all  caution  the  news  of  our 
coming  hail  spread  over  the  surrounding  country,  and  telegrams  bringing  both 
thanks  for  what  had  been  received  and  the  needs  for  more,  came  from  all  sides, 
and  the  good  mayor  of  MacClenny  made  his  troubled  way  to  reach  and  greet  us 
in  person,  and  take  again  the  faithful  hands  that  had  served  and  saved  his  people. 
Surgeon  Hutton's  headijuarter  tent  was  politely  tendered  for  the  first  meeting, 
and  as  one  could  never,  while  memory  lasts,  forget  this  scene,  so  no  words  can 
ever  adequately  describe  it.  The  ample  tent  was  filled.  Here  on  the  right  the 
maj'or,  broad  shouldered,  kind  faced  and  efficient,  officers  of  camp,  and  many 
visitors,  wondering  what  it  all  meant ;  in  the  centre  the  tall  doctor  and  his 
faithful  band.  Eliza  Lanier,  Lena  Seymour  (mother  and  daughter),  Elizabeth 
Eastman,  Harriet  Schmidt,  Lizzie  Louis,  Rebecca  Vidal,  Annie  Evans,  Arthur 
Duteil,  Frederick  Wilson  and  Edward  Holyland. 

I  give  these  names  because  they  are  worthy  a  place  in  the  history  of  any 
epidemic;  but  no  country,  race,  nor  creed  could  claim  them  as  a  body:  four 
Americans,  one  German,  one  French,  one  Irish,  three  Africans,  part  Protestant, 
and  part  Catholic,  but  all  from  New  Orleans,  of  grand  old  Howard  stock,  from 
Memphis  down,  nursing  in  every  epidemic  from  the  bayous  of  the  Mississippi 
to  Tampa  Bay  ;  and  hereafter  we  will  know  them  as  the  ' '  Old  Guard. ' ' 

Here,  in  the  winds  of  approaching  winter  they  stand  in  the  light  garb  of 
early  September  in  New  Orleans,  thin,  worn,  longing  for  home,  but  patient, 
grateful  and  glad.  Some  trifling  "nubia"  or  turban  about  the  head,  but  only 
one  distinguishing  feature  in  common.  A  pitiful  little  misshapen  Red  Cross, 
made  by  their  own  hands,  of  two  bits  of  scarlet  ribbon,  soiled,  fringed,  and 
tattered,  pinned  closely  upon  the  left  breast  of  each,  strove  in  mute  appeal  to 
say  who  they  were,  and  what  they  served.  A  friendly  recognition  and  some 
words  of  thanks  from  their  president,  opened  the  way  for  those  anxious  to  fol- 
low. The  rich,  warm  eloquence  of  Mayor  Watkins  plainl}'  told  from  how  near 
his  heart  the  stream  of  gratitude  w^as  flowing,  and  his  manly  voice  trembled  as 
he  reverted  to  the  condition  of  his  stricken  people,  on  that  pitiless  night,  when 
this  little  band  of  pilgrim  strangers  strayed  back  to  them  in  the  rain  and  dark- 
ness. "I  fear  they  often  worked  in  hunger,"  he  said,  "for  then,  as  now,  we 
had  little  for  ourselves,  our  sick,  or  our  well ;  but  they  brought  us  to  our  feet, 
and  the  blessing  of  every  man,  woman  and  child  in  MacClenny  is  on  them.  " 

It  was  with  a  kind  of  paternal  pride  that  Dr.  Gill  advanced  and  placed 
before  us  his  matchless  record  of  cases  attended,  and  life  preserved.  "This  is 
the  record  of  our  work,"  he  said.  "lam  proud  of  it,  and  glad  that  I  have  been 
able  to  make  it,  but  without  the  best  efforts  of  these  faithful  nurses  I  could  not 
have  done  it;  they  have  stood  firm  through  everything;  not  a  word  of  complaint 
from,  nor  of,  one  of  them,  in  all  these  trying  months,  and  I  thank  you,  our 
president,  for  this  opportunity  to  testify  to  their  merits  in  your  presence." 
The  full  cups  overflowed,  and  as  we  took  each  brown  calloused  hand  in  ours, 
and  felt  the  warm  tears  dropping  over  them,  we  realized  how  far  from  calloused 
were  the  hearts  behind  them.     The  silence  that  followed  was  a  season  of  prayer. 

Then  came  opportunity  for  some  conversation,  questions  and  explanations. 
"We  wish  to  introduce  to  our  president  our  chief  nurse,  whom  Colonel  South- 
mayd  placed  in  charge  of  us  when  we  left  the  car,  and  directed  us  to  obey  him ; 
he  is  younger  than  any  of  us,  Ed.  Holyland."     A  slight  young  man  with  clear. 


YKLLOW    FKVKR    KPIDKMIC    IX    laORIDA.  153 

olive  complexion,  and  dark  browed,  earnest  eyes  that  looked  you  straight  In 
the  face,  came  forward;  his  apparent  youthfulness  gave  rise  to  the  6rst  remark: 

"How  old  are  you,  Mr.  Holyland?" 

"Twenty-nine,  madam.  " 

"And  you  have  taken  charge  of  these  nurses?" 

"Iliave  done  what  I  could  for  their  comfort;  I  think  that  was  what  the 
Colonel  desired;  he  k::ew  they  would  need  only  care  and  advice,  they  would  do 
their  best  of  themselves.  During  the  few  days  that  Colonel  Southmayd  remained 
in  Jack.sonville, "  he  contiimed,  "he  was  able  to  send  us  some  such  comforts  as 
we  needed  for  the  sick,  and  some  nourishing  food  for  ourselves;  but  this  was 
only  a  few  days,  you  know,  and  after  that  we  got  on  as  well  as  we  could  with- 
out. I  know  that  after  he  left  the  nurses  gave  to  the  sick,  the  children,  the  old 
and  the  helpless,  what  they  needed  for  tlieir  own  strength." 

"But  you  did  not  tell  us  this,  INIr.  Holyland." 

"No,  we  were  dazed  and  frightened  by  the  things  we  heard.  We  felt  that 
your  organization  was  having  enough  to  bear.  We  knew  we  must  look  to  you 
for  our  pay,  and  we  thought,  under  the  circumstances,  that  would  be  your 
share.  But  permit  me,  please,  to  call  your  attention  to  Mr.  Wilson  (a  stout 
colored  man  advanced),  who  took  charge  of  a  little  hospital  of  six  cases,  and 
carried  them  all  through  day  and  night  without  an  hour's  relief  from  any  per- 
son, and  saved  every  case." 

"And  permit  me,"  chimed  in  the  clear-toned  Irish  voice  of  Lizzie  Louis, 
"to  tell  of  Mr.  Holyland  himself,  who  found  a  neglected  Italian  family  a  mile 
or  more  outside  of  the  town.  He  went  and  nursed  them  alone,  and  when  the 
young  son,  a  lad  of  thirteen  or  fourteen  years  died,  knowing  there  was  no  one 
to  bury  him  there, he  wrapped  him  in  a  blanket  and  brought  him  into  town  on 
his  back,  for  burial. ' ' 

Holyland's  face  grew  sad,  and  his  eyes  modestly  sought  the  floor,  as  he 
listened  to  this  unexpected  revelation. 

"I  wish  to  speak  of  something  else,"  added  one  of  the  men,  "which  we 
were  held  back  from  doing,  and  for  which  we  are  now  very  glad.  We  should 
not  have  thought  of  it  ourselves.  It  is  customary,"  he  continued,  "when  a 
patient  dies  in  an  epidemic,  to  give  the  nur.se  ten  dollars  for  preparing  the  body 
for  burial;  this  was  done  in  our  first  case,  but  Mr.  Holyland  had  the  gift  promptly 
returned  with  thanks,  and  the  explanation  that  we  were  employed  by  an  organ- 
ization which  fully  rewarded  its  nurses,  and  was  too  high  and  too  correct  to 
accept  tribute  for  misfortune;  it  was  enough  that  the  patient  was  lost." 

By  this  time  poor  black  Annie  Evans,  the  "]Mannny"  of  the  group,  could 
hold  quiet  no  longer,  and  broke  silence  with,  "Missus  President!  whar  is  de 
Colonel?  Colonel  Southmayd;  dey  tells  uie  all  de  time  he's  gone  away  from 
New  Orleans,  and  I  can't  b'l'eve  'em.  He  can't  go  away;  he  can't  lib  any- 
whar  else,  he  was  always  dar.  I'se  nursed  in  yellow  fever  and  cholera  more'n 
twenty-five  year,  and  I  neberwent  for  nobody  but  him;  it  arn't  no  New  Orleans 
for  uswidout  him  dar.  I  doesn't  know  de  name  of  dat  place  dey  say  he's  gone 
to,  and  I  doesn't  want  to;  he'll  be  in  New  Orleans  when  we  gets  dar. " 

There  were  pitying  glances  among  the  group,  at  this  little  burst  of  feeling, 
for  in  some  way  it  was  an  echo  of  their  own  ;  and  Lena  Seymour  added  tenderly  : 


154  THK    RED   CROSS. 

"We  have  been  Iryiiij^  fi)r  these  two  months  to  convince  "Maiumy"  about  this, 
but  she  is  firm  in  her  faith  and  sometimes  refuses  to  hear  us.  "  But  the  subject 
changed  with  "How  many  cases  did  you  lose  in  this  epidemic,  Mammy?" 

"I  didn't  lose  no  cases!  Lor'  bless  you,  honey,  I  doesn't  lose  cases  if  dey 
hasn't  been  killed  afore  dey  gets  to  me;  folks  needn't  die  of  yellow  fever." 

We  didn't  suppose  that  "Mammy"  intended  any  reflection  upon  the  medi- 
cal fraternity. 

"Bu^  now,  friends,  we  must  turn  to  our  settlement,  which  cannot  be  diffi- 
cult. Three  dollars  a  day  for  each  nurse,  for  seventy-nine  days,  till  you  are 
home  on  Thanksgiving  morning.  But  here  are  only  ten.  There  are  eighteen 
on  our  list  who  left  with  you  and  Colonel  Southmayd ;  where  are  your  com- 
rades?" Some  eyes  flashed  and  some  moistened,  as  they  answered,  "We  do 
not  know."  "They  remained  in  the  car  that  night,  and  went  on  to  Jackson- 
ville." Swift,  dark  glances  swept  from  one  to  another  among  them.  Instinc- 
tively they  drew  closer  to  each  other,  and  over  knitted  l)rowsand  firmly  set  teeth, 
a  silence  fell  dark  and  ominous  like  a  pall,  which  the  future  alone  can  lift. 

The  bugle  sounded  dinner,  and  this  ended  our  little  cauiij-meeting,  than 
which,  few  camp-meetings  we  believe,  ever  came  nearer  to  the  heart  of  Him 
who  ofTercil  His  life  a  ransom,  and  went  about  doing  good. 

The  winds  blew  cold  acro.ss  the  camp;  the  fires  shot  out  long  angry  tongues 
of  flame  and  drifts  of  smoke  to  every  passer-by.  The  norther  was  upon  us. 
Night  came  down,  and  all  were  glad  of  shelter  and  sleep.  The  morning,  quiet, 
crisp,  and  white  with  frost,  revealed  the  blessing  which  had  fallen  upon  a 
stricken  land. 

Thanksgiving  was  there  before  its  time.  The  hard  rules  relaxed.  One  day 
more,  and  the  quarantine  was  at  an  end.  The  north-bound  train  halted  below 
the  camp,  and  all  together,  president  and  agent,  tall  doctor  and  happy  nurses, 
took  places  on  it.  The  first  for  headquarters  at  Washington,  the  last  for  New 
Orleans,  and  home  for  Thanksgiving  morning,  full  of  the  joys  of  a  duty  well 
done,  rich  in  well-paid  labor  in  the  love  of  those  they  had  befriended  and  the 
approval  of  a  whole  people  south  and  north  when  once  their  work  should  be 
known  to  them. 

To  the  last  they  clung  to  their  little  home-made  Red  Crosses  as  if  they  had 
been  gold  and  diamonds;  and  when  at  length,  the  tracks  diverged  and  the  part- 
ing must  be  made,  it  was  with  few  words,  low  and  softly  spoken,  but  meaning 
much;  with  a  finger  touch  upon  the  little  cross,  "When  you  want  us,  we  are 
there. ' ' 


The  fever  spread  during  the  fall  to  several  points  in  Georgia, 
Alabama  and  Mississippi,  and  resulted  in  the  usual  panic  and  flight 
from  many  places;  but  happily  the  disease  got  no  great  headway  before 
the  frost  put  an  end  to  its  career. 

It  was  late  in  November  when  we  closed  this  work;  worn  and  dis- 
heartened as  we  were  by  both  the  needful  and  the  needless  hardships 
of  the  campaign,  we  were  glad  of  the  two  or  three  months  in  which  no 
call  for  action  was  made  upon  us. 


THE  JOHNSTOWN  FLOOD. 


the  thirty-first  of  May  the  knell  of  disaster  rang  over  the 
entire  world,  and  we  were  sharply  reminded  that  the  need 
of  the  Red  Cross  is  ever  present,  and  that  its  members 
must  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  move  at  a  moment's 
notice.     The  news  of  the  awful  calamity  of  Johnstown,  Pa., 
with  all  its  horrors,  appalled  us  ;  and  so  frightful  and  improb- 
able were  the  reports,   that  it  required  twenty-four  hours  to 
satisfy  ourselves  that  it  was  not  a  canard. 

In  order  to  get  an  intelligent  idea  of  this  disaster  and  the  terrible 
damage  wrought  by  the  irresistible  waters,  it  may  be  well  to  give 
a  short  sketch  of  the  city  of  Johnstown  and  its  adjacent  surround- 
ings. Before  the  flood  there  were  thirty  thousand  people  in  this 
busy  community,  which  embraced  the  city  of  Johnstown  proper  and 
numerous  suburbs.  The  city  is  situated  at  the  junction  of  Stony 
Creek  and  the  Little  Conemaugh,  forming  the  Conemaugh  River. 
These  streams  are  liable  to  sudden  overflows,  and  owing  to  the 
contraction  of  the  waterway  in  the  lower  part  of  the  city  by 
the  dumping  of  cinders  and  slag  from  the  large  iron  works  on  the 
banks  of  the  stream,  and  also  encroachments  by  riparian  owners,  the 
upper  portion  of  the  city  is  liable  to  inundations.  About  nine  miles 
above  the  city  a  dam  had  been  thrown  across  the  Little  Conemaugh 
River  many  years  ago  for  commercial  purposes,  but  had  been  abandoned 
and  the  site  with  much  surrounding  property  had  been  subsequently 
purchased  by  a  sporting  club,  whose  membership  embraced  some  of 
the  wealthiest  citizens  of  Pennsylvania.  These  gentlemen  were 
attracted  by  the  picturesque  scenery,  and  the  hunting  and  fishing 
of  the  vicinity,  and  they  spent  thousands  of  dollars  in  improving 
and  beautifying  their  holdings.  The  dam  was  raised  to  a  height  of 
over  seventy  feet  and  held  an  immense  body  of  water  covering  many 
acres. 

This  large  mass  of  water  was  a  constant  source  of  fear  to  the  in- 
habitants of  the  lower  valleys,  who  were    aware  of  the  danger  that 

(157) 


158  THK    RED   CROSS. 

threatened  them  ;  and  many  protests  were  made  against  the  continu- 
ance of  the  danger,  but  owing  to  the  prominence  of  the  owners  of  the 
dam,  and  the  strong  social  and  political  influence  they  exerted,  they 
remained  unmolested  in  the  possession  of  the  monster  that  was  to  break 
its  bounds  and  carry  death  and  destruction  in  its  pitiless  pathway. 

A  steady  rainfall  for  several  days  in  the  latter  part  of  May  caused 
overflows  in  all  the  streams  in  western  Pennsylvania,  and  much  of  the 
city  of  Johnstown  was  already  under  water  to  a  depth  of  from  two  to 
ten  feet,  wlien  suddenly  the  dam  over  the  Little  Conemaugh  gave  way, 
and  its  flood,  resembling  a  moving  mountain  of  water  thirty  feet  high, 
was  precipitated  upon  the  doomed  city.  Numbers  of  the  inhabitants, 
who  had  carried  the  fear  of  this  disaster  in  their  minds  for  years, 
had  become  so  alarmed  by  the  long  continued  rains,  and  the  floods  that 
were  already  upon  them,  took  their  families  and  fled  to  the  high 
grounds  on  the  hillsides.  But  the  great  majority  of  the  people, 
who,  though  fully  aware  of  the  danger,  had  lived  with  it  so  long  that 
they  had  become  careless  and  indifierent,  took  no  precautions  whatever. 
These  were  overwhelmed  by  the  tide  almost  without  warning,  and 
before  they  could  seek  safety  were  swept  away. 

The  number  of  lives  lost  will  never  be  accurately  known  ;  but  in 
all  probability  it  reached  in  the  entire  valley  nearly  five  thousand. 
It  is  said  that  property  to  the  amount  of  twelve  millions  of  dollars  was 
absolutely  lost. 

It  was  at  the  moment  of  supreme  affliction  when  we  arrived  at 
Johnstown.  The  waters  had  subsided,  and  those  of  the  inhabitants 
who  had  escaped  the  fate  of  their  fellows,  were  gazing  over  the  scene 
of  destruction  and  trying  to  arouse  themselves  from  the  lethargy  that 
had  taken  hold  of  them  when  they  were  stunned  by  the  realization  of  all 
the  woe  that  had  been  visited  upon  them.  How  nobly  they  responded 
to  the  call  of  duty  !  How  much  of  the  heroic  there  is  in  our  people 
when  it  is  needed  !  No  idle  murmurings  of  fate,  but  true  to  the  god- 
like instincts  of  manhood  and  fraternal  love,  they  quickly  banded 
together  to  do  the  best  that  the  wisest  among  them  could  suggest. 

For  five  weary  months  it  was  our  portion  to  live  amid  these  scenes 
of  destruction,  desolation,  poverty,  want  and  woe;  sometimes  in  tents, 
sometimes  without;  in  rain  and  mud,  and  a  lack  of  the  commonest 
comforts,  until  we  could  build  houses  to  shelter  ourselves  and  those 
around  us.  Without  a  safe,  and  with  a  dry  goods  box  for  a  desk,  we 
conducted  financial  affairs  in  money  and  material  to  the  extent  of 
nearly  half  a  million  dollars. 

I  shall  never  lose  the  memorj'  of  my  first  walk  on  the  day  of  our 


THE   JOHNSTOWN    FLOOD.  159 

arrival — the  wading  in  mud,  the  climbing  over  broken  engines,  cars, 
heaps  of  iron  rollers,  broken  timbers,  wrecks  of  houses;  bent  rail- 
way tracks  tangled  with  piles  of  iron  wire;  among  bands  of  workmen, 
squads  of  military,  and  getting  around  the  bodies  of  dead  animals, 
and  often  people  being  borne  away; — the  smouldering  fires  and 
drizzling  rain — all  for  the  purpose  of  officially  announcing  to  the  com- 
manding general  (for  the  place  was  under  martial  law)  that  the  Red 
Cross  had  arrived  on  the  field.  I  could  not  have  puzzled  General 
Hastings  more  if  I  had  addressed  him  in  Chinese;  and  if  ours  had 
been  truly  an  Oriental  mission,  the  gallant  soldier  could  not  have 
been  more  courteous  and  kind.  He  immediately  set  about  devising 
means  for  making  as  comfortable  as  possible  a  "poor,  lone  woman," 
helpless,  of  course,  upon  such  a  field!  It  was  with  considerable  difficulty 
that  he  could  be  convinced  that  the  Red  Cross  had  a  way  of  taking  care 
of  itself  at  least,  and  was  not  likely  to  suffer  from  neglect.  I  don't 
believe  he  quite  got  over  his  mistrust  until  a  week  later,  when 
carloads  of  lumber  from  Iowa  and  Illinois  began  to  come  in  consigned 
to  the  president  of  the  Red  Cross.  As  this  was  the  only  lumber  that 
had  come,  the  military  were  constrained  to  "borrow"  from  us  in 
order  to  erect  quarters  in  which  to  entertain  the  Governor  of  the  State 
on  the  occasion  of  his  first  visit. 

Our  first  duty  was  to  study  the  situation  and  take  up  the  line  of 
relief  as  necessities  developed  and  opportunities  presented.  Western 
Pennsylvania  and  Ohio  had  been  "  instant  in  season."  Pittsburg  had 
mainly  provided  for  the  survivors  who  were  injured.  Ohio  had  sent 
its  troops  under  its  eSicient  Adjutant-General  Axline  ;  and  food,  the 
first  necessity,  was  literally  pouring  in  from  every  available  source. 

But  the  wherewithal  to  put  and  keep  clothes  upon  this  denuded 
city  full  of  people,  and  something  to  sleep  on  at  night  was  a  problem  ; 
and  shelter  for  them,  a  present  impossibility.  The  possible  must  be 
attempted. 

The  first  days  brought  in  dispatches  and  letters  to  the  amount  of 
about  a  hundred  a  day,  tendering  sympathy,  offering  help,  and  giving 
notice  of  material  and  money  sent.  We  were  then  living  in  tents  and 
working  literally  night  and  day,  some  of  us  at  work  all  the  time. 

From  one  mammoth  tent,  which  served  as  a  warehouse,  food  and 
clothing  were  given  out  to  the  waiting  people  through  the  hands  of 
such  volunteer  agents,  both  women  and  men,  as  I  scarcely  dare  hope 
ever  to  see  gathered  together  in  one  work  again.  The  great  cry  which 
had  gone  out  had  aroused  the  entire  country,  and  our  old-time  helpers, 
full  of  rich  experience  and  still  riclier  love  for  the  work,  faithful  to  the 


i6o  THK    RKI)   CROSvS. 

cross  of  humanity  as  the  devotee  to  the  cross  of  the  Master,  came  up 
from  every  point — the  floods,  the  cyclones,  the  battlefields — and  kneel- 
ing before  the  shrine,  pledged  heart  and  service  anew  to  the  work. 
Fair  hands  laying  aside  their  diamonds,  and  business  men  their  cares, 
left  homes  of  elegance  and  luxury  to  open  rough  boxes  and  barrels, 
handle  second-hand  clothing,  eat  coarse  food  at  rough  board  tables, 
sleep  on  boxes  under  a  dripping  canvas  tent,  all  for  the  love  of  humanity 
symbolized  in  the  little  flag  that  floated  above  them. 

Clergymen  left  their  pulpits,  and  laymen  their  charge  to  tramp 
over  the  hillsides  from  house  to  house,  find  who  needed  and  suffered, 
and  to  carry  to  them  from  our  tents  on  their  shoulders,  like  beasts  of 
burden,  the  huge  bundles  of  relief,  where  no  beast  of  burden  could 
reach. 

Let  it  not  be  supposed  that  all  this  was  accomplished  without  per- 
plexity to  someone.  Goods  came  in  from  many  sources  of  transport, 
five  entries  by  freight  and  express  requiring  to  be  constantly  watched  ; 
for,  strange  to  say,  there  is  no  work  in  which  people  grow  more  reck- 
less, selfish  and  jealous,  than  in  the  distribution  of  charities.  Persons 
outside  grew  anxious  that  the  receipt  of  goods  was  not  acknowledged 
before  they  were  received  ;  that  checks  were  not  drawn  and  returned 
before  the  bank  safes  were  out  of  the  mud  ;  and  that  houses  were  not 
built  and  the  people  living  in  them  before  it  was  possible  to  find  a  cleared 
spot  for  a  little  tent  in  which  a  workman  could  sleep  at  night.  We 
finally  found  space,  however,  for  the  erection  of  a  pine  warehouse,  fifty 
by  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  in  dimensions  in  the  centre  of  the  old 
town.  The  building  was  put  up  in  four  days,  and,  still  in  the  rain, 
our  accumulation  of  supplies  was  removed  to  it  on  the  first  of  July. 

We  had  been  early  requested  by  official  resolution  of  the  Finance 
Committee  of  the  city  of  Johnstown  to  aid  them  in  the  erection  of 
houses.  We  accepted  the  invitation,  and  at  the  same  time  proposed 
to  aid  in  furnishing  the  nucleus  of  a  household  for  the  homes  which 
should  in  any  way  be  made  up.  This  aid  seemed  imperative,  as 
nothing  was  left  for  them  to  commence  living  with,  neither  beds, 
chairs,  tables,  nor  cooking  utensils  of  any  kind;  and  there  were  few  if 
any  stores  open,  and  no  furniture  in  town. 

It  now  became  possible  to  more  fully  systematize  the  work;  and  a 
committee  of  Johnstown  ladies  of  every  denomination  was  formed,  at 
our  request,  to  receive  the  people  and  ascertain  their  greatest  wants, 
which  were  carefully  noted  on  printed  blanks  to  be  returned  to  us. 
These  wants  we  undertook  to  fill  without  further  trouble  to  the  people 
themselves. 


THE  JOHNSTOWN    FLOOD.  161 

The  result  of  this  committee's  work  was  the  written  requests  of 
three  thousand  families,  aggregating  eighteen  thousand  persons,  to  be 
served,  in  addition  to  two  thousand  others  whom  we  had  previously 
promised  to  help. 

The  great  manufacturers  of  the  country,  and  the  heavy  contrib- 
uting agents,  on  learning  our  intentions,  sent,  without  a  hint  from  us, 
many  of  their  articles,  as  for  instance.  New  Bedford,  Mass.,  sent 
mattresses  and  bedding;  Sheboygan,  Wis.,  sent  furniture  and  enameled 
ironware;  Titusville,  Pa.,  with  a  population  of  ten  thousand,  sent 
ten  thousand  dollars'  worth  of  its  well-made  bedsteads,  springs,  exten- 
sion tables,  chairs,  stands  and  rockers;  and  the  well-known  New  York 
newspaper.  The  Mail  aiid  Express^  sent  car  loads  of  mattresses, 
feather  pillows,  bed-clothing, — sheets,  and  pillow  slips  by  the  thousand, 
and  cooking  utensils  by  the  ten  thousands.  Six  large  teams  were  in 
constant  service  delivering  these  goods. 

When  the  contributions  slackened  or  ceased,  and  more  material 
was  needed,  we  purchased  of  the  same  firms  which  had  contributed, 
keeping  our  stock  good  until  all  applications  were  filled.  The  record 
on  our  books  showed  that  over  twenty-five  thousand  persons  had  been 
directly  served  by  us.  They  had  received  our  help  independently  and 
without  begging.  No  child  has  learned  to  beg  at  the  doors  of  the  Red 
Cross. 

Meanwhile  our  building  contracts  were  not  neglected.  It  is  to  be 
borne  in  mind  that  the  fury  of  the  deluge  had  swept  almost  entirely 
the  homes  of  the  wealthy,  the  elegant,  the  cultured  leaders  of  society, 
and  the  fathers  of  the  town.  This  class  who  were  spared,  were 
more  painfully  homeless  than  the  poor,  who  could  still  huddle  in 
together.  They  could  not  go  away,  for  the  sujffering  and  demoralized 
town  needed  their  care  and  oversight  more  than  ever  before.  There 
was  no  home  for  them,  nowhere  to  get  a  meal  of  food  or  to  sleep.  Still 
they  must  work  on,  and  the  stranger  coming  to  town  on  business  must 
go  unfed,  and  return  to  Cressou  at  night,  if  he  would  .sleep,  or,  indeed, 
escape  being  picked  up  by  the  military  guard. 

To  meet  these  necessities,  and  being  apprehensive  that  some  good 
lives  might  go  out  under  the  existing  lack  of  accommodations,  it  was 
decided  to  erect  a  building  similar  to  our  warehouse.  The  use  of  the 
former  site  of  the  Episcopal  Church  was  generously  tendered  us  by  the 
bishop  early  in  June,  for  any  purpose  we  might  desire.  This  house, 
which  was  soon  erected,  was  known  as  the  "  Locust  Street  Red  Cross 
Hotel ;"  it  stood  some  fifty  yards  from  our  warehouse,  and  was  fifty  by 
one  hundred  and  sixteen  feet  in  dimensions,   two  stories  in  height, 


102  THIv    KKD   CROSS. 

with  lantern  roof,  built  of  hemlock,  single  siding,  papered  inside  with 
heavy  building  paper,  and  heated  by  natural  gas,  as  all  our  buildings 
were.  It  consisted  of  thirty-four  rooms,  besides  kitchen,  laundry, 
bath  rooms  with  hot  and  cold  water,  and  one  main  dining-hall  and  sit- 
ting room  through  the  centre,  sixteen  feet  in  width  by  one  hundred  in 
length  with  second  floor  gallery. 

It  was  fully  furnished  with  excellent  beds,  bedding,  bureaus, 
tables,  chairs  and  all  needful  housekeeping  furniture.  A  competent 
landlady,  who  like  the  rest,  had  a  few  weeks  before  floated  down  over 
that  same  ground  on  the  roof  of  her  house  in  thirty  feet  of  water  five 
miles  below  the  city,  rescued  in  a  tree  top,  was  placed  in  charge,  with 
instructions  to  keep  a  good  house,  make  what  she  could,  rent  free,  but 
charging  no  Johnstown  person  over  twenty-five  cents  for  a  meal  of 
food. 

This  was  the  first  attempt  at  social  life  after  that  terrible  separation, 
and  its  success  was  something  that  I  am  very  glad  of.  The  house 
was  full  of  townspeople  from  the  first  day,  and  strangers  no  longer 
looked  in  vain  for  accommodations. 

The  conception  of  the  need  of  this  house,  and  the  method  of  select- 
ing its  inmates  and  the  manner  of  inducting  them  into  their  new  home, 
were  somewhat  unique  and  may  be  of  interest  to  the  reader.  We  had 
noticed  among  the  brave  and  true  men,  who  were  working  in  the  mud 
and  rain,  many  refined  looking  gentlemen,  who  were,  before  this  great 
misfortune  carried  away  most  of  their  worldly  belongings,  the  wealthiest 
and  most  influential  citizens.  Never  having  had  to  struggle  amid  .such 
hardships  and  deprivations,  their  sufferings  were  more  acute  than  those 
of  the  poorer  and  more  hardy  people;  and  it  did  not  require  any  great 
foresight  to  know  that  they  were  physically  incapable  of  such  labor  if 
prolonged,  nor  to  predict  their  early  sickness  and  death  if  they  were 
not  properly  housed  and  fed.  As  the  salvation  of  the  town  depended 
in  a  great  measure  upon  the  efforts  of  these  men,  it  was  vitally  neces- 
sary that  their  lives  should  be  preserved.  Realizing  all  this,  it  occurred 
to  us  that  the  most  important  thing  to  do,  next  to  feeding  the  hungry, 
was  to  provide  proper  shelter  for  these  men  and  their  families.  The 
idea  once  conceived  was  soon  put  in  the  way  of  realization. 

It  was  decided  that  we  should  erect  the  house  as  quickly  as  pos- 
sible, furnish  it  completely,  and  when  ready,  invite  the  citizens  to  a 
reception  within  its  hospitable  walls.  This  arrangement  was  carried 
out,  and  a  printed  invitation  was  issued,  of  which  the  following  is  a 
facsimile: 


THK   JOHNSTOWN    FLOOD.  ><')=; 


cJ^     c^^^ui^e-       K^  t>'/>o^t 


-^cM-    -O-s-     r/z-xto*     <vV^  ^X»*- 


o^#«**rf.-i 


J^. 


c-7i&i*^e--^«»'t    c-?^*©--^**  c-.SVrtf  c-**-^ 


On  the  afteruoon  of  July  27,  hundreds  of  citizens  called  on  us  and 
congratulations  and  good  wishes  were  the  order  of  the  da)^  As  the 
members  of  each  family  whom  we  had  selected  to  occupy  apartments 
in  the  house  arrived,  they  were  quietly  taken  aside  and  requested  to 
remain  and  have  dinner  with  us.  After  all  the  guests  were  departed 
except  those  who  had  been  requested  to  remain,  dinner  was  announced, 
and  the  party  was  seated  by  the  members  of  the  Red  Cross.  Beside 
the  plate  of  each  head  of  the  family  were  laid  the  keys  to  an  apartment, 
with  a  card  inviting  the  family  to  take  possession  at  once,  and  remain 
as  long  as  they  chose. 

I  cannot  describe  the  scene  that  followed  ;  there  were  tears  and 
broken  voices  ;  suffice  to  say,    the   members  of  that  household  were 


i66  THK    RKD   CROvSS. 

made  happy  and  comfortable  for  many  long  months  ;  and  I  venture  to 
assert  that  those  now  living  recall  those  days  with  the  fondest  recol- 
lections. 

This  revealed  a  want  so  great,  that  a  second  house  of  the  same 
dimensions  and  qualities  was  erected  just  across  the  river,  known  as 
the  "  Kernville  Red  Cross  Hotel."  Another  competent  landlady  was 
installed  in  charge,  who  had  not  only  lost  her  home,  but  her  beautiful 
daughter  of  twenty  years.  This  house  was  also  filled;  and  a  fourth 
house  of  forty  by  one  hundred  feet  was  next  built  in  the  form  of  a 
block,  the  families  living  separately,  for  the  accommodation  of  the 
working  people  of  Woodvale,  where  no  house  was  left.  This  was 
known  as  the  "  Red  Cross  Block,"  or  "  Woodvale  House." 

There  was  no  rent  to  pay  for  accommodations  in  this  house,  the 
only  cost  to  the  tenant  being  for  fire,  lights  and  living. 

Johnstown  had  neither  a  hospital  nor  an  almshouse— never  had, 
its  poor  being  taken  to  Ebensville,  twenty  miles  distant.  Under 
ordinary  circumstances  this  might  do,  but  with  the  scant,  poor  homes 
of  this  winter  we  felt  it  to  be  unsafe,  and  saw  that  better  provision 
should  be  made.  Accordingly  the  use  of  some  half-dozen  unset  portable 
houses,  known  as  the  "  Oklahomas,"  was  asked  of  the  Flood  Commis- 
sion, and  erected  adjoining  our  warehouse,  as  separate  wards  connected 
by  a  covered  way,  and  provided  with  an  adjoining  house  of  eighteen 
by  thirty  feet,  two  stories  high,  for  kitchen,  dining,  store,  sleeping  and 
living  rooms  for  the  use  of  the  wards  and  attendants.  These  were  all 
fully  equipped  and  warmed  for  the  accommodation  of  thirty  patients, 
with  the  best  of  new  outfit,  and  the  hospital  was  known  as  the 
"Johnstown  Infirmary." 

These  things  accomplished,  there  remained  but  one  more  danger 
to  be  guarded  against.  The  citizens  still  had  no  organization  of  their 
own  for  the  relief  of  their  needy  people  through  the  coming  winter,  and 
no  protection  against  any  alarming  report  which  might  be  sprung  upon 
them.  Any  sensational  writer  could  still,  if  he  chose  to,  report  two 
hundred  cases  of  typhoid  fever  in  Johnstown,  alarming  the  whole 
country,  with  not  a  case  of  genuine  typhoid  there,  and  there  were  none 
to  say  him  nay  ;  or  that  its  people  were  freezing  or  starving,  with 
nowhere  the  authority  to  correct  the  misstatement.  This  protection 
was  needed,  not  alone  for  Johnstown,  but  the  people  at  large  as  well. 

A  few  well-timed  suggestions  were  sufiicient.  The  meetings  were 
held  in  our  house  and  some  of  the  leading  men  and  women  of  the  city 
effected  a  permanent  organization  to  be  incorporated  under  the  name 
of  the  "  Benevolent  Union  of  Conemaugh  Valley." 


THE  JOHNSTOWN    FLOOD.  167 

This  completed,  we  had  only  to  turn  over  to  their  hands,  as  the 
leaders  of  the  town,  our  warehouse  with  its  entire  remaining  stock, 
amounting  to  some  thousands  of  dollars;  the  care  of  the  infirmary;  one 
of  our  trained  clerks,  with  all  papers  and  accounts  of  our  relief  work 
from  the  day  of  its  inception;  one  of  our  experienced  working  men  to 
handle  transportation — to  fit  up  for  them  large,  warm  rooms  for  winter 
use;  give  them  our  blessing;  accept  theirs  in  fullest  measure;  say  good 
bye  to  them  and  to  our  faithful  helpers,  with  heavy  hearts  and  choking 
voices,  and  return  to  our  home,  bearing  the  record  of  a  few  months  of 
faithful  endeavor  among  a  people  as  patient  and  brave  as  people  are 
made,  as  noble  and  grateful  as  falls  to  the  lot  of  human  nature  to  be. 
Enterprising,  industrious,  and  hopeful,  the  new  Johnstown,  phoenix- 
like, rose  from  its  ruins  more  beautiful  than  the  old,  with  a  ceaseless 
throb  of  grateful  memory  for  ev^ery  kind  act  rendered,  and  every  thought 
of  sympathy  given  her  in  her  great  hour  of  desolation  and  woe.  God 
bless  her,  and  God  bless  all  who  helped  save  her  ! 

We  had  employed  during  our  sojourn  in  Johnstown  a  working  force 
of  fifty  men  and  women,  whom  we  had  housed,  fed  and  paid,  with  the 
exception  of  the  volunteers  who  worked  for  the  good  they  could  do  and 
would  accept  nothing.  The  means  which  we  so  largely  handled  came 
from  everywhere;  accounts  were  rendered  for  everything,  and  no  word 
of  business  complication  ever  came  to  us.  There  never  has  in  all  our 
work. 

There  was  much  to  do  in  Johnstown  after  we  left ;  buildings  to 
remove  and  property  to  care  for  when  it  had  served  its  purpose  and 
the  ground  became  needed.  But  there  is  always  a  right  time  for  any 
benevolent  work  to  cease;  a  time  when  the  community  is  ready  to  resume 
its  own  burdens,  and  when  an  offered  charity  is  an  insult  to  the  honest 
and  independent,  and  a  degradation  to  the  careless  and  improvident, 
tending  to  pauperize  and  make  them  an  added  burden  on  their  better- 
minded  fellow  citizens.  And  then,  the  moment  the  tradesman  is  able 
to  re-establish  himself,  he  looks  with  jealous  eyes  on  any  agency  that 
diverts  possible  business  from  his  channels.  Tiius  it  is  not  only  wise  hut 
just  to  all  concerned  to  withdraw  all  gratuities  from  a  people  the  instant 
they  are  able  to  gain  even  a  meagre  self-support. 

A  rather  curious  circumstance,  somewhat  on  the  line  of  this  reflec- 
tion, fell  to  our  lot  after  leaving  Johnstown.  The  houses  that  we  had 
built  and  furnished  were  indispensable  to  the  tenants  during  the  winter, 
when  there  were  no  other  houses  to  be  had;  but  in  the  spring  the  city, 
rejuvenated,  began  to  build  up  again,  and  we  were  notified  that  the 
land   on  which   our   large  houses  were  standing  was  needed  by  the 


i68  THK   RED   CROSS. 

owners,  who  wished  to  use  it  for  their  own  purposes,  and  they  requested 
the  Red  Cross  to  remove  its  buildings.  We  promptly  sent  an  agent  to 
attend  to  the  matter,  and  he  began  the  work  of  vacating  the  premises. 
There  was  no  hardship  involved  in  this,  as  all  the  tenants  were  by  this 
time  in  condition  to  pay  rent,  the  relief  fund  of  $r, 600,000  having  been 
distributed  among  them  in  proportion  to  their  losses,  and  there  were 
houses  that  they  could  get;  in  a  few  days  our  houses  were  empty. 
Then  a  new  factor  entered  into  the  situation.  When  it  became  gener- 
ally known  that  the  Red  Cross  must  remove  these  immense  houses, 
and  that  a  large  quantity  of  lumber  and  house  furnishings  were  to  be 
disposed  of,  the  self-interests  of  the  dealers  in  those  commodities  were 
at  once  aroused,  and  they  strongly  protested  against  the  gratuitous 
distribution  of  those  articles  among  the  people  of  Johnstown,  asserting 
that  the  inhabitants  were  now  prospering  and  had  the  means  to  buy 
everything  they  needed,  and  that  a  gift  from  us  of  any  of  these  things 
would  be  an  injustice  to  the  honest  traders  who  were  trying  to  re-es- 
tablish themselves. 

We  saw  the  justice  of  their  objection  and  gave  assurances  that  no 
injury  should  be  done  them,  still  to  have  fully  conformed  to  their  idea 
and  transported  the  entire  material  to  some  other  point,  ^'ould  have 
put  the  Red  Cross  to  an  amount  of  trouble  and  cost  unjust  to  itself. 

I  am  not  prepared  to  say  that  our  quiet  field  agent  in  charge  of 
the  work  did  not  find  resting  places  for  very  much  of  this  material  in 
still  needy  homes,  where  it  did  no  harm  to  any  one  and  for  which  no 
one  but  the  pitiful  recipients  were  the  wiser. 

Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  we  took  away  from  Johnstown  as 
little  material  and  furniture  as  was  possible,  after  quietly  disposing  of 
the  greater  part  of  it,  and  this  at  an  expense  and  inconvenience  to  our- 
selves which  we  could  ill  afford,  there  were  those,  who  could  not  under- 
stand why  we  should  take  anythins;  away  ;  and  their  unkind  miscon- 
struction and  criticisms  have  scarcely  ceased  echoing  even  to  this  late 
day. 

The  paths  of  charity  are  over  roadways  of  ashes;  and  he  who 
would  tread  them  must  be  prepared  to  meet  opposition,  misconstruc- 
tion, jealousy  and  calumny.  Let  his  work  be  that  of  angels,  still  it 
will  not  satisfy  all. 

There  is  always  an  aftermath  of  attempted  relief  where  none  is 
needed  ;  and  more  or  less  criticism  of  any  work,  for  it  is  always  so 
much  easier  to  say  how  a  thing  ought  to  be  done  than  it  is  to  do  it. 

These  little  unpleasantnesses,  however,  cannot  deprive  us  of 
the    thousand  memories   of    gratitude,    appreciation,    and   kindnesses 


THE  JOHNSTOWN   FI.OOD.  169 

exchanged,    which   were   mutually   needful   and   helpful;   nor  of  the 
many  lifelong  friendships  formed  that  will  bless  us  all  our  days. 

I  may  perhaps  be  pardoned  for  (juoting  a  few  lines  from  the  official 
report  of  the  Johnstown  Flood  Finance  Committee,  appointed  by 
Governor  Beaver,  as  showing  how  these  gentlemen,  the  foremost  men 
in  the  community,  regarded  our  efforts  to  give  them  a  helping  hand: 


In  this  matter  of  sheltering  the  people,  as  in  others  of  like  importance, 
Miss  Clara  Barton,  president  of  the  Red  Cross  Association,  was  most  helpful.  At 
a  time  when  there  was  a  doubt  if  the  Flood  Commission  could  furnish  houses 
of  suitable  character  and  with  the  requisite  promptness,  she  offered  to  assume 
charge,  and  she  erected  with  the  funds  of  the  association  three  large  apartment 
houses  which  afforded  comfortable  lodgings  for  many  houseless  people.  She 
was  among  the  first  to  arrive  on  the  scene  of  calamity,  bringing  with  her  Dr. 
Hubbell,the  field  oflicer  of  the  Red  Cross  Association,  and  a  staff  of  skilled  assis- 
tants. She  made  her  own  organization  for  relief  work  in  every  form  disposing 
of  the  large  resources  under  her  control  with  such  wisdom  and  tenderness  that 
the  charity  of  the  Red  Cross  had  no  sting,  and  its  recipients  are  not  Miss  Bar- 
ton's dependents,  but  her  friends.  She  was  also  the  last  of  the  ministering 
spirits  to  leave  the  scene  of  her  labors,  and  she  left  her  apartment  houses  for 
use  during  the  winter,  and  turned  over  her  warehouse,  with  its  store  of  furni- 
ture, bedding  and  clothing  and  a  well-equipped  infirmary,  to  the  Union  Benevo- 
lent Association  of  the  Conemaugh  Valley,  the  organization  of  which  she 
advised  and  helped  to  form ;  and  its  lady  visitors  have  so  well  performed  their 
work  that  the  dreaded  winter  has  no  terrors,  mendicancy  has  been  repressed, 
and  not  a  single  case  of  unrelieved  suffering  is  known  to  have  occurred  in  all 
the  flooded  district. 


The  Johnstown  Daily  Tribune  was  one  of  the  enterprising  and 
reliable  papers  of  the  unfortunate  city,  which,  though  drowned 
out,  would  not  stay  dead,  and  insisted  on  "pulling  itself  together," 
and  cheering  the  people  along  in  their  efforts  to  re-establi.sh  their  homes 
and  their  fortunes.  On  the  eve  of  our  departure  the  Tr/Y'/^;/!?  published 
an  editorial  which  we  are  fain  to  believe  reflected  the  feelings  of  the 
people,  and  which  was  as  follows: 

FARKWRLIv  TO  IMLSS  BARTON. 


How  shall  we  thank  Miss  Clara  Barton  and  the  Red  Cross  for  the  help  they 
have  given  us?  It  cannot  be  done;  and  if  it  could,  Miss  Barton  docs  not  want 
our  thanks.  She  has  simply  done  her  duty  as  she  saw  it  and  received  her  pay 
— the  consciousness  of  a  duty  performed  to  the  best  of   her   abilit}-.     To  see  us 


,70  thp:  rkd  crOvSvS. 

upon  our  feet,  struj4ji;liiig  forward,  helpiiij^  ourselves,  caring  for  the  sick  and 
inflrni  and  ini])<)verished — that  is  enough  for  Miss  Barton.  Her  idea  has  been 
fully  worked  out,  all  her  plans  accomplished.  What  more  could  such  a  woman 
wish? 

We  cannot  thank  Miss  Barton  in  words.  Hunt  the  dictionaries  of  all  lan- 
guages through  and  you  will  not  find  the  signs  to  express  our  appreciation  of 
her  and  her  work.  Try  to  describe  the  sunshine.  Try  to  describe  the  starlight. 
Words  fail,  and  in  dumbness  and  silence  we  bow  to  the  idea  which  brought  her 
here.  God  and  humanity  !  Never  were  they  more  closely  linked  than  in  stricken 
Johnstown. 

Men  are  brothers!  Yes,  and  sisters,  too,  if  Miss  Barton  pleases.  The  first 
to  come,  the  last  to  go,  she  has  indeed  been  an  elder  sister  to  us — nursing, 
soothing,  tending,  caring  for  the  stricken  ones  through  a  season  of  distress  such 
as  no  other  people  ever  knew — such  as,  God  grant,  no  other  people  may  ever 
know.  The  idea  crystallized,  put  into  practice.  "Do  unto  others  as  you  would 
have  others  do  unto  you."  "Even  as  ye  have  done  it  unto  the  least  of  these, 
so  also  have  ye  done  it  unto  Me!"  Christianity  applied.  Nature  appeased  and 
satisfied.     This  has  been  Miss  Barton's  work,  and  nobly  has  she  done  it. 

Picture  the  sunlight  or  the  starlight,  and  then  try  to  say  good-bye  to  Miss 
Barton.  As  well  try  to  escape  from  yourself  by  runniNg  to  the  mountains.  "I 
go,  but  I  return"  is  as  true  of  her  as  of  Him  who  said  it.  There  is  really  no 
parting.  She  is  with  us,  she  will  be  with  us  always— the  spirit  of  her  work 
even  after  she  has  passed  away. 

But  we  can  say  God  bless  you,  and  we  do  say  it.  Miss  Barton,  from  the 
bottom  of  our  hearts,  one  and  all. 


Some  bard,  whose  name  I  do  not  know,  but  whose  sad,  lovely 
words  frequently  recur  to  me,  has  commemorated  the  disaster  of  the 
Coneraaugh  in  the  following  beautiful  poem,  which,  I  think,  is  worthy 
of  preservation: 

"THE  DREAD  CONEMAUGH. " 

I  tarried  in  Conemaugh  Valley 

One  beautiful  morning  in  spring. 
And  loveliness  mantled  the  mountains, 

The  meadows  and  everything. 
The  breezes  were  laden  with  odor 

Akin  to  the  blossoming  rose, 
And  happiness  brightened  the  faces 

Of  people  refreshed  by  repose. 

But  death,  the  remorseless  destroyer, 

Looked  down  on  the  valley,  so  green. 
Beheld  the  quaint  homes  on  the  hillsides, 

The  towns  nestled  snugly  between. 


THE  JOHNSTOWN    FLOOD.  171 

And,  hungry  for  awful  disaster, 

For  grief,  lamentation  and  tears. 
Death  paused  where  a  lake  in  the  mountains 

Had  shimmered  untroubled  for  years. 

The  water  grew  dark  in  his  presence, 

Grew  dark  in  the  presence  of  death, 
And  shrank  from  the  terrible  visage. 

Away  from  his  poisonous  breath. 
A  tempest  came  forth  in  its  fury 

And  soon  with  an  ominous  flow 
The  overcharged  lake  in  the  mountains 

riunged  into  the  valley  below. 

A  rumble,  a  roar,  and  destruction 

Came  down  with  the  pitiless  flood 
To  stifle  the  cry  of  the  wicked 

To  silence  the  prayer  of  the  good; 
Like  straws  in  a  bubbling  cauldron 

These  homes  in  the  valley  were  tossed 
Away  on  the  hurrying  waters. 

Along  with  the  dying  and  lost. 

There  brother  was  taken  from  brother. 

The  false  were  destroyed  with  the  true. 
There  lovers  were  torn  from  each  other 

With  never  a  parting  adieu. 
Confusion  wrought  havoc  so  wanton 

That  mercy  grew  deaf  for  a  while. 
And  beings,  half  demon,  made  merry 

On  Conemaugh's  funeral  pile. 

But  Heaven  will  surely  remember 

The  names  of  the  noble  who  died 
To  rescue  their  perishing  brothers 

From  death  in  that  horrible  tide. 
For  some  of  the  noblest  heroes 

That  ever  calamity  saw. 
Repose  unintcrred  in  the  valley 

Where  wanders  the  dread  Conemaugh. 


The  incidents  attending  a  field  of  relief — some  pathetic  and  sor- 
ro'^ful,  others  laughable  and  ludicrous — so  loom  up  in  the  memory 
v;hen  the  subject  is  opened,  as  almost  to  encumber  the  pen  as  one 
writes.  Referring  to  our  landlady  at  Locust  Street  Hotel,  Mrs.  Henrie, 
one  recalls  her  wonderful  experience  during  the  night  of  the  flood. 
By  some  means,  entirely  alone,  she  floated  down  the  stream,  not  only 


I7J  THH    RKD   CROSS. 

through  Johnstown,  but  miles  below  in  the  darkness  of  the  night, 
until  some  time  next  day  perhaps  she  managed  to  stay  herself  in  a 
tree-top,  where  she  clung  among  the  branches,  her  clothing  torn  from 
her  in  shreds  during  her  struggle  for  life,  until  discovered  and  taken 
away. 

The  family  of  Mr.  John  Tittle,  one  of  the  oldest,  most  respected 
and  beloved  in  the  town,  floated  clinging  to  the  top  of  their  house, 
without  knowing  that  they  were  moving,  but  thought  others  were 
moving  as  they  passed  them  ;  until  at  length,  fearing  that  Mrs.  Tittle's 
strength  and  courage  would  fail,  her  husband  joined  hands  with  her 
firmly  over  the  ridge-pole,  and  thus  they  hung  on  opposite  sides  of  the 
roof  through  the  long  night.  The  courage  and  strength  did  often  fail, 
and  her  pleading  went  out  to  her  husband  :  "  Oh,  let  us  let  go  and 
end  it,  John  !  We  cannot  escape  !  I  cannot  endure  it  longer  !  "  to  be 
answered  by  his  words  of  hope  and  cheer  and  a  tightened  grasp  on  the 
aching  wrists.  At  length,  near  morning,  having  reached  the  vicinity 
of  Kernville,  the  house  struck  the  bridge  and  remained  stationary. 
One  by  one  the  inmates  slid  onto  the  bridge  and  gained  the  land  on 
the  Kernville  side. 

They  had  left  within  the  house,  unable  to  be  gotten  out,  the  old, 
decrepit  black  mammy  of  a  lifetime,  the  great  silky-haired  setter, 
"  Rob,"  and  the  poll-parrot  hanging  in  her  cage.  All  had  been  trans- 
ferred, as  the  water  rose,  to  the  topmost  peak  of  the  attic,  where  they 
were  left  to  their  fate.  The  great  bread-wagons  of  Pittsburg,  with 
their  sturdy  policemen,  were  already  there  ;  the  dead  and  the  living 
were  being  picked  up  together  as  they  floated  down.  Some  con- 
sciousness began  to  return  to  the  dazed  survivors,  and  at  length  it 
was  thought  safe  to  attempt  an  entrance  to  the  Tittle  mansion,  still 
floating  at  the  bridge. 

On  gaining  the  attic,  this  picture  as  described  at  the  time,  presented 
itself:  the  water  had  never  quite  reached  it;  Poor,  old  mammy  sat  in 
the  highest  corner,  with  hands  clasped,  her  chin  resting  on  her  knees, 
and  her  lips  muttering  her  woes  and  her  prayers ;  long-eared,  silky- 
haired  "  Rob,"  no  longer  a  "  setter  "  at  least,  bounding  and  roaring  a 
welcome  that  required  physical  strength  to  resist;  and  "poll,"  her 
cage  topsy-turvy,  striding  about  the  floor,  with  an  air  of  offended 
dignity,  hungry  and  cross,  said  "  she  had  had  a  devil  of  a  time." 

During  one  of  the  early  days  Mr.  K.,  a  citizen  of  the  town,  came 
into  my  tent,  bringing  with  him  another  man — tall,  firmly  knit,  dark 
visaged,  with  hair  tangled  and  matted,  and  still  the  bearing  of  a  man 
if  not  a  gentleman.     On  introducing  his  companion,  Mr.  K.  said  that 


THE  JOHNSTOWN   FLOOD.  i;^ 

he  had  been  exceedingly  unfortunate,  and  he  had  brought  him  to  me 
to  see  if  anything  could  be  done  for  him.  "  I  hoped  so,"  and  turned 
to  inquire  what  was  most  needed.  "  Had  he  a  family  ;  did  they  want 
food,  or  clothing?  Had  he  little  children?"  His  face  grew  darker 
still  and  his  frown  deeper,  as  at  length,  in  a  tone  approaching  contempt, 
he  replied:  "No;  I  don't  want  anything  jj/^z^  can  give;  you  have 
nothing  for  me."  I  had  still  the  courage  to  persevere,  and  added, 
"What  would  you  have  me  do,  if  I  could  do  it  ?  "  Again  a  silence 
and  a  mental  struggle  that  shook  his  whole  frame,  as  he  half  hissed 
between  clenched  teeth,  "  Let  me  look  on  the  face  of  one  dead  child  ;" 
and  rushing  from  the  tent,  he  disappeared  from  me  forever. 

He  had  had  five  motherless  children,  for  whom  he  toiled  early  and 
late  in  the  great  Cambria  Iron  Mills.  The  flood  swept  his  little  home 
before  he  could  reach  it,  and  every  child  was  lost.  He  had  wandered 
about  the  river  banks,  watched  the  receding  waters,  dug  in  the  sands 
for  the  little  bodies  hidden  beneath,  until  reason  had  given  way — till 
even  God  seemed  cruel  and  mankind  weak  idiots. 


1/4 


TIIK   RICD   CROSS. 


^p.  jtuu-u-^rv  ^•yij/JvV;'^  ai^u^e^^-nr 


H^l» 


Executed  and  presented  to  Clara  Barton  by  one  of  the  Johnstown  sufferers. . 
A  PEN   MEMORIAL   TO   CLARA    BARTON   BY   ONE    OF   THE  JOHNS- 
TOWN   FLOOD    SUFFERERS,  MR.  J.  F.  DRURY. 


THE   RUSSIAN    FAMINE, 

1891-1892. 

O  properly  understand  the  Russian  Famine  of  1891-92. 
WW  and  the  rehef  work  of  the  Red  Cross  connected  there- 
^^O     with,  one  needs  to  keep  in  mind  the  ordinary  moral  and 


economic  condition  of  the  Russian  peasantry.  They 
were,  many  of  them,  not  long  ago  serfs  attached  to  the 
land  in  a  condition  but  little  better  than  American  slaves. 
Though  the  liberation  of  the  serfs  made  their  legal  con- 
dition better,  it  left  them  in  condition  scarcely  less  dis- 
couraging than  before.  They  were  subject  to  all  the  disabilities  of 
hard  bargains  on  every  side,  from  the  exactions  of  taxes  levied  in  one 
way  or  another,  and  payable  in  services  or  goods,  all  of  which  called 
for  an  ever  increasing  sacrifice.  They  were  subject  to  onerous  military 
service,  and  penal  exactions  for  violations  of  the  law.  These  condi- 
tions surrounded  them  with  an  atmosphere  of  depressing  poverty,  fear 
and  hopeless  endurance,  if  not  of  despair.  They  have  not  felt  the 
stimulating  habitual  influence  of  hope,  of  courage,  of  enterprise.  They 
are  not  educated  to  surmount  discouragements  by  overcoming  them. 
Difiiculties  do  not  down  easily  before  them  ;  they  go  down  before  diffi- 
culties and  disasters  in  something  like  apathetic  despondency,  or  live 
in  an  amazing  light-hearted,  careless  recklessness  that  easily  turns  to 
drink,  to  idleness,  weakness,  disease  and  early  death.  Fear  is  with 
them  always,  as  if  fate  was  over  and  against  them. 

The  climate  of  Russia  is  cold  in  winter,  and  the  means  of  cooking 
and  artificial  warmth  are  scanty,  and  not  easily  procured  at  any  time  ; 
thus,  when  the  famine  really  came  upon  them,  observers  were  divided 
in  opinion  whether  the  famine,  or  fear  of  famine,  or  of  something 
worse,  destroyed  or  paralyzed  these  people  the  more. 

The  harvest  yields  of  1889  and  1890  had  been  much  less  than  an 
average,  and  at  the  beginning  of  1891  but  little  of  the  old  supplies  cf 
grain  was  left  over.  The  harvest  of  1891  was  nearly  a  total  failure 
throughout  a  vast  region  in  central  Russia  extending  from  Moscow, 
roughly  speaking,  say,  three  hundred  miles  in  a  northeasterly  direction 
over  a  plain  eight  hundred  to  a  thousand  miles  in  width,  beyond  the 
Ural  Mountains,  and  some  distance  into  Siberia  in  Asiatic  Russia — a 
district  of  nearly  a  million  square  miles.     Ordinarily  this  is  the  most 

(175) 


i;6  Tin-:    RHD   CROSS. 

productive  part  of  the  Empire,  upon  which  the  remainder  of  the 
country  had  been  accustomed  to  dravv  for  food  supplies  in  the  frequent 
cases  of  deficiency  elsewhere.  The  appearance  of  the  country  is  similar 
to  our  prairie  States  in  the  early  days  before  the  growth  of  the  planted 
trees ;  and  the  soil  is  a  rich,  black  loam  that  usually  produces  good 
harvests. 

It  was  estimated  by  those  best  qualified  to  judge  that  from  thirty 
to  thirty-five  millions  of  people  were  sufferers  by  the  famine  of  1891. 

Count  Tolstoi  on  the  Character  of  the  Peasants. 

Count  Tolstoi  gave  up  his  whole  time  to  mitigating  the  suffering 
caused  by  this  great  disaster,  and  to  understanding  the  situation 
broadly.  He  went  into  the  homes  of  the  people,  and  studied  their 
needs  sympathetically;  he  placed  himself  by  their  side,  and  with  his 
dramatic  instinct  understood  them,  ascertained  where  the  hurt  was 
felt,  and  how  it  could  be  cured,  if  it  could  be  cured  at  all. 

At  that  time  the  Count  wrote  of  these  poor,  unfortunates:  "I 
asked  them  what  sort  of  a  harvest  they  had  had,  and  how  they 
were  getting  along;  and  they  replied  in  a  blithe,  off"-hand  manner: 
'Oh,  right  enough,  God  be  praised!"  And  yet  these  people 
who  reside  in  the  most  distressed  districts  of  the  government  of 
Toula,  cannot  possibly  live  through  the  winter,  unless  they  bestir  them- 
selves in  tijue.  They  are  bound  to  die  of  hunger,  or  some  disease 
engendered  by  hunger,  as  surely  as  a  hive  of  bees  left  to  face  the 
rigors  of  a  northern  winter,  without  honey  or  sweets,  must  perish 
miserably  before  the  advent  of  spring.  The  all-important  question, 
therefore,  is  this  :  Will  they  exert  themselves  while  yet  they  possess 
the  strength,  if,  indeed,  it  be  not  already  wholly  exhausted  ?  Every- 
thing that  I  saw  or  heard  pointed  with  terrible  distinctness  to  a  negative 
reply.  One  of  these  farmers  had  sold  out  the  meagre  possessions 
which  he  could  call  his  own,  and  had  left  for  Moscow  to  work  or  beg. 
The  others  stayed  on  and  waited  with  naive  curiosity  watching  for  what 
would  happen  next,  like  children,  who,  having  fallen  into  a  hole  in  the 
ice,  or  lost  their  way  in  a  dense  forest  and  not  realizing  at  first  the 
terrible  danger  of  their  situation,  heartily  laugh  at  its  unwontedness." 

"Unless  they  bestir  themselves  in  time" — what  a  text  is  this  ! 
They  are  all  the  time  overborne  by  the  apathy  of  fear,  of  unused 
powers,  of  suppression  and  depression.  Courage,  hope,  enterprise  to 
bestir  themselves,  where  will  they  come  from  ?  Not,  surely,  from  fear, 
and  more  discouragement. 


THE   RUvSSIAN   FAMINE.  177 

The  Beginning  ok  the  American  Relief. 

The  work  of  the  American  National  Red  Cross  in  the  Russian 
famine  of  1891-92  was  comparatively  less  than  in  some  others  of  the 
conspicuous  fields  in  which  it  had  done  its  work.  The  impulse  to  help 
in  the  work  of  that  relief  sprang  up  simultaneously  in  many  American 
hearts  and  homes,  in  New  York,  in  Philadelphia,  in  Minnesota  and 
Iowa.  In  Iowa  it  took  the  form  of  a  veritable  crusade  for  a  most  holj-' 
cause;  beginning  in  the  fervid  and  indomitable  spirit  of  Miss  Alice 
French — the  "  Octave  Thanet  "  of  literature — it  quickly  enlisted  Mr. 
B.  F.  Tillinghast,  editor  of  the  Dave7iport  Democrat,  who  became  its 
director-in-chief  and  organizing  force,  everywhere  organizing  it,  and 
promoting  it  in  every  direction  and  in  every  form.  The  movement 
was  taken  up  by  the  women  of  Iowa,  and  Governor  Boies  became 
a  prime  mover,  till  the  whole  State  at  last  joined  in  a  triumphal 
march  bearing  corn,  God's  best  gift  to  man,  to  the  Atlantic  coast  in  a 
procession  of  two  hundred  and  twenty-five  carloads,  exceeding  five 
hundred  bushels  in  each  car.  The  corn  was  consigned  to  Clara 
Barton  in  New  York  and  reached  her  agents  there  without  accident  or 
delay. 

The  American  National  Red  Cross  had  authentic  intelligence  of 
the  famine  in  Russia  before  it  had  attracted  general  attention  ;  it  had 
placed  itself  in  communication  with  the  Secretary  of  State,  the  Honor- 
able James  G.  Blaine,  and  the  Russian  Charge  d' Affairs  at  Wash- 
ington, Mr.  Alexander  Gregor,  and  had  ascertained  that  Russia  would 
gladly  receive  any  donations  of  relief  that  the  people  of  America 
might  send  to  her  famine  stricken  people.  Not  only  would  they 
receive  supplies,  but  would  send  their  ships  for  them,  and  provide  inland 
transportation  from  Russian  ports  to  the  destitute  people  for  whom 
these  benefactions  were  intended.  America  declined  to  allow  her 
suffering  sister  nation  to  cross  the  seas  to  get  this  food,  and  quickly 
arranged  to  carry  it  to  her.  All  the  American  agencies  concerned  in 
this  movement  met  it  in  the  noblest  spirit  ;  railroad  companies  gave 
free  transportation,  telegraph  companies  the  free  use  of  wires,  brokers 
and  steamship  agents  declined  their  usual  commissions,  and  some 
insurance  companies  even  gave  premiums  for  the  safe  delivery  of  the 
precious  cargo  into  the  hands  of  the  starving  people. 

Congress  had  been  appealed  to  for  ocean  transportation,  and  the 
Senate  had  voted  a  liberal  appropriation,  but  the  bill  was  defeated  in 
the  House  of  Representatives.  Then  the  citizens  of  Washington  took 
up  the  matter  and  were  joined  by  the  Society  of  Elks,    one  of  the 


178  THE   RKD    CROSS, 

noblest  of  our  benevolent  orders,  ever  ready  to  join  in  any  good  cause 
for  humanity  ;  and  funds  to  charter  a  steamship  to  carry  the  cargo 
to  Russia  were  soon  raised  and  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  Red  Cross. 

The  sentiment  that  roused  and  sustained  this  great  movement  on 
the  part  of  the  people  of  America  was  a  mingled  one  of  sympathy  for 
starving  Russian  peasants,  and  gratitude  for  timely  moral  help  of  the 
Russian  navy  in  years  gone  by. 

Was  it  accident  or  design  that  chose  the  British  steamship  "  Tyne- 
head  "  to  carry  this  material  expression  of  American  sympathy  and 
gratitude  and  enabled  the  president  of  the  American  National  Red 
Cross,  on  the  deck  of  a  British  vessel,  in  presence  of  the  American 
people,  to  say  that,  "  these  tributes  of  America  to  Russia  in  her  hour 
of  temporary  distress  were  not  to  be  counted  as  gifts,  for  they  had 
been  richly  earned;  not  even  accounted  as  loans,  for  they  had  been 
anticipated  a  hundred  fold  in  an  hour  of  our  own  peril — far  greater, 
God  grant,  than  Russia  may  ever  know.  They  were  not  even  the 
principal  of  a  great  national  debt;  but  a  tithe  of  the  interest  long  due, 
and  joyously  acknowledged — acknowledged  there  under  the  triple 
shadow  of  the  three  great  flags  floating  above,  blending  now  in  their 
mighty  folds  the  finest,  purest  attributes  of  God's  holy  gifts  to  man, 
peace,  love  and  charit}'." 

Mr.  Tillinghast,  in  describing  the  scene  of  the  departure  of  the 
"  Tynehead  "  from  New  York,  at  which  the  above  quoted  words  were 
spoken,  said:  "  Captain  Carr,  a  brave  man  and  a  Briton,  who  had  been 
tossed  b}'^  the  waves  from  the  Indian  Ocean  to  the  Bay  of  Fundy,  was 
for  a  moment  speechless.  The  hardy  sailors  about  him  bowed,  and 
their  eyes  moistened.  There  was  not  a  man  on  that  ship  who  had  ever 
before  been  charged  with  the  delivery  of  such  a  cargo." 

A  tug  hauled  the  ship  out  into  the  river  at  high  tide.  She  was 
greeted  by  saluting  whistles  of  passing  ferries,  yachts  and  steamers, 
by  waving  flags  and  cheers  from  thousands.  The  "Tynehead"  was 
headed  for  the  long  voyage  to  the  Gulf  of  Riga  in  the  Baltic  on  the 
shores  of  Russia. 

Dr.  Hubbell,  representative  of  the  Red  Cross  to  the  international 
conference  of  the  Red  Cross  to  be  held  at  Rome,  and  authorized  to 
proceed  to  Riga  and  receive  and  distribute  with  the  Russian  Red  Cross 
this  gift  of  Iowa,  was  already  on  his  ocean  voyage  and  ready  to  do  his 
part  in  this  beautiful  blending  of  international  courtesies  and  services 
that  it  is  the  mission  of  the  Red  Cross  to  devise  and  to  carry  out  where- 
ever  it  can  make  or  find  the  fitting  opportunity.  Dr.  Hubbell  arrived 
on  time  at  Riga  and  will  further  on  state  the  facts  about  the  distribution 
of  the  cargo. 


THE    RUSSIAN   FAMINE.  179 

It  must  not  be  thought  that  the  Russian  government  or  people 
were  indiflferent  to  the  sufferings  of  their  fellow  countrymen  during 
this  great  misfortune,  or  that  they  made  no  sufficient  eff^ort  to  meet 
their  needs  or  relieve  their  sufferings.  The  question  has  often  been 
asked  :  "  While  America  was  so  active  in  this  charity,  what  was  the 
government  of  Russia  doing  for  its  unfortunates  ?"  Perhaps  this  query 
is  best  answered  by  quoting  from  the  official  report  of  the  American 
Ambassador  at  St.  Petersburg,  the  Hon.  Charles  Emory  Smith,  to  his 
government,  which  was  written  at  that  time,  and  says: 

In  the  presence  of  this  national  disaster  the  Russian  government  has  not  been 
passive.  Without  reviewing  the  administrative  system,  it  must  be  said  that  it  }ias 
sought  to  grapple  in  liberal  measures  with  the  tremendous  problem.  Before  the 
first  of  March,  1892,  it  had  appropriated  one  hundred  and  fifty  million  rubles  or 
seventy-five  million  dollars  for  this  purpose,  and  the  direct  outlay  by  June  can 
hardl}^  be  less  than  two  hundred  million  rubles.  Besides  this,  taxes  have  been 
remitted,  and  work  has  been  furnished  where  practicable.  Vast  quantities  of 
grain  have  been  bought  and  brought  from  the  rich  fields  of  the  Caucasus,  though, 
with  the  limited  means  of  communication  and  the  loss  of  horses,  it  has  been 
difficult  to  convey  it  to  the  regions  remote  from  the  railroads.  Large  public 
works,  employing  hundreds  of  thousands  of  men,  have  been  undertaken.  The 
forests  of  the  imperial  domain  have  been  opened  to  the  peasants  for  fuel.  The 
proprietary  class  have,  as  a  rule,  in  this  emergency,  proved  worthy  of  their  posi- 
tions and  responsibilities.  There  are  single  families  taking  care  of  as  many  as 
twenty  thousand  people.  The  women,  especiall}-,  have  come  forward  with  a 
consecration  and  self-sacrifice  which  commands  admiration. 

I*"  it  were  not  invidious  or  indelicate  many  cases  might  be  cited  of  ladies  of 
gentle  birth  who  have  left  their  homes,  braved  the  dangers  of  disease,  faced  the 
hardships  of  an  unaccustomed  and  trying  life,  and  given  up  weeks  and  months  to 
the  feeding  of  the  hungry  and  ministering  to  the  sick.  One  thing  ought  in  fair- 
ness to  be  said.  The  Emperor  has  been  published  abroad  as  indifferent.  It  is 
only  just  to  remark  that  this  peculiar  kind  of  indifference  has  been  manifested 
not  merely  in  a  vigorous  direction  of  the  later  governmental  operations  of  relief, 
even  to  the  summary  dismissal  of  inefficient  agents;  but  in  gifts  from  his  private 
purse,  which,  if  the  belief  of  St.  Petersburg  can  be  accepted,  amount  to  fifteen  or 
twenty  times  all  the  contributions  of  all  the  world  outside  of  Russia. 

Ambassador  Smith  estimates  that  the  American  donations  sup- 
ported more  than  seven  hundred  thousand  people  for  a  month.  This 
may  be  accepted  as  the  result  of  their  practical  work  for  humanity. 

From  the  above  report  it  will  be  seen  that  the  distress  was  so  exces- 
sive and  widespread  that  even  the  available  resources  of  so  great  an 
empire  as  Russia  were  sorely  taxed  in  the  endeavor  to  succor  its  famish- 
ing people;  and  that  its  people  of  all  classes  rose  nobly  to  the  work  of 
the  occasion. 


i8o  THE    RIU)    CROSS. 

Al'PRKCIATIOX    Ul'    AmKKICAN    SYMPATHY. 

That  the  substantial  sympathy  of  the  American  people  was  fully 
appreciated  by  the  Russian  people  may  be  gathered  from  what  follows. 
The  mayor  of  St.  Petersburg,  in  an  address  on  behalf  of  that  city  to 
American  donors,  declared: 

The  Russian  people  know  how  to  be  fjrateful.  If  up  to  this  day  these  two 
great  counlries,  Russia  and  the  United  States,  have  not  onlj-  never  quarreled,  but 
on  the  contrary,  wished  each  other  prosperity  and  strength  always,  these  feelings  of 
sympathy  shall  grow  only  stronger  in  the  future — both  countries  being  conscious 
that,  in  the  season  of  trial  for  either  it  will  find  in  the  other  cordial  succor  and 
support.    And  when  can  true  friendship  be  tested  if  not  in  the  hour  of  misfortune? 

A  peasant  of  Samara  sent  to  a  Russian  editor,  together  with  three 
colored  eggs,  a  letter  which  he  a.sked  to  have  forwarded  to  America. 
It  appeared  in  the  Cejihny  Magazine.     Here  is  an  extract: 

Christ  is  risen!  To  the  merciful  benefactors,  the  protectors  of  the  poor,  the 
feeders  of  the  starving,  the  guardians  of  the  orphans — Christ  is  risen!  North 
Americans!  May  the  Lord  grant  you  a  peaceful  and  long  life  and  prosperity  in 
your  land,  and  ma}'  your  fields  give  abundant  harvests — Christ  is  risen.  Your 
mercifulness  gives  us  a  helping  hand.  Through  your  charity  you  have  satisfied  the 
starving.  And  for  your  magnificent  alms  accept  from  me  this  humble  gift  which  I 
send  to  the  entire  American  people  for  your  great  beneficence,  from  all  the  hearts 
of  the  poor,  filled  with  feelings  of  joy. 

Count  Bobrinskoy,  writing  officially  to'  the  secretary  of  the  Iowa 
Russian  Famine  Relief  Commission,  used  these  words: 

It  gives  me  very  great  pleasure  indeed  to  express  to  you  the  sincere  apprecia- 
tion that  the  Ru.ssian  people  entertain  toward  the  splendid  work  organized  in 
America  for  the  relief  of  the  sufferers  in  our  famine-stricken  districts.  I  can  assure 
that  the  same  deep  gratitude  is  felt,  not  only  b}'  the  poor  who  have  received  the 
generous  American  contributions,  but  also  by  us  all,  who,  having  worked  for  this 
relief,  know  how  much  it  was  needed.  I  know  by  Dr.  Hubbell  how  great  was  the 
activity  of  your  peoples  as  well  as  that  of  Miss  Clara  Barton  in  sending  us  the 
"Tynehead,"  and  how  much  you  have  done  in  the  interests  of  our  people.  The 
names  of  "Indiana,"  "Missouri,"  "  Conemaugh,"  "Tynehead"  and  "Leo" 
will  always  remind  us  of  the  most  beautiful  example  of  international  charity  and 
fraternal  love  that  history  has  perhaps  ever  mentioned. 

On  the  first  anniversary  of  the  arrival  of  the  Iowa  ship,  "  Tyne- 
head," at  Riga,  there  was  a  significant  event  in  Philadelphia.  The 
Russian  man-of-war,  the  "  Dimitre  Donskoi,"  the  flagship  of  the  North 
Atlantic  vSquadron,  anchored  in  the  Delaware  River.  The  vessel  was 
decorated  with  flags  and  the  officer  of  the  day  was  the  Grand  Duke 


COUNT  LYOF  NIKOLAYIiVITCII   TOLSTOY 


THE   RUvSSIAN    FAMINE.  183 

Alexander.  By  special  invitation  of  this  representative  of  the  Czar, 
Dr.  Hubbell  and  the  nine  other  American  commissioners,  wlio  went  to 
Russia  in  behalf  of  the  donors  were  present  on  board.  They  were 
received  with  the  most  impressive  honors.  The  Czar  had  sent  gifts  by 
his  officer,  and  the  presentations  were  made  in  the  name  of  his  majesty, 
under  the  imperial  flags.  A  large  open  trunk  contained  ten  boxes  of 
polished  wood,  and  each  of  these  was  inscribed  :  "  In  remembrance  of 
your  visit  to  Russia."  Accompanying  each  was  a  letter  expressive  of 
his  majesty's  gratitude.  The  tokens  were  all  magnificent  specimens 
of  Russian  art  work  in  silver. 

The  Department  of  State  at  Washington,  under  date  of  January 
II,  1894,  issued  the  following  information: 

On  November  7,  1893,  the  United  States  Minister  at  St.  Petersburg  received  from 
the  nobility  of  that  city,  through  their  marshal,  Count  Alexis  Bobrinskoy,  an 
address  to  the  people  of  the  United  States.  This  address,  which  is  in  the  English 
language,  embodies,  in  terms  fitly  chosen,  the  thanks  of  the  Russian  people  to  the 
American  for  the  aid  sent  to  their  country  from  our  own  during  the  famine  periods 
of  the  past  two  years  ;  it  is  beautifully  engrossed  and  its  illumination  embraces 
water-color  drawings,  which  render  it  a  most  attractive  work  of  art.  The  docu- 
ment, which  is  superbly  bound  and  enclosed  in  a  fine  case,  was  duly  forwarded  to 
this  city  by  Minister  White,  and  will  be  given  a  conspicuous  place  in  the  library  of 
this  department. 

The  following  is  the  Text  of  the  Testimonial  from  the  Nobility  of 
;';  int   rctc.sburg   tu  the  People  of  the   United  States: 

In  the  annals  of  Russia  for  1892,  painful  though  the  memory  be,  history  will 
point  out  many  a  bright  and  joyous  page  scattered  throughout  the  Empire,  on 
which  will  be  written  in  letters  of  gold  the  beautiful  story  of  brotherly  love  as 
exemplified  by  the  good  people  of  the  United  States  of  America. 

Hardly  had  human  voices  been  heard  calling  for  bread  in  certain  governments 
of  Russia,  that  had  suffered  from  drought,  hail,  and  untimely  frost,  ere  that 
friendly  people  across  the  Atlantic,  moved  by  an  earnest  desire  to  help  the  afflicted 
and  to  feed  the  hungry,  collected  from  every  state  in  the  Union,  as  if  by  one  accord, 
shipload  after  shipload  of  corn,  and  dispatched  them,  one  after  the  other,  on  their 
errand  of  mercy  and  relief. 

Deejjly  grateful  for  such  evident  signs  of  evangelical  feeling  and  interest,  the 
Assembly  of  Noljles  of  the  govcrnuient  of  vSt.  Petersburg,  as  representatives  of  the 
intellectual  class  in  Russia,  has  resolved  to  express  their  warm  and  heartfelt  grati- 
tude to  those  friendly  people  who  form  the  great  nation  of  the  United  States  of 
America. 

May  the  Lord  bless  and  keep  all  those  kind-hearted  Americans,  men,  women 
and  children,  who  took  part  in  that  great  and  good  work  of  charity,  and  may  the 
Hand  that  giveth  unto  us  all,  reward  them  bountifully,  and  ever  keep  them  from  a 
like  misfortune. 

(Signed.)  The  Marshal  of  the  Nobility  of  St.  Petersburg, 

Count  Alexis  Bohrinskoy. 


i84  THE    RKD    CROSS. 

Previous  to  receiving  this  beautiful  tribute,  on  the  arrival  of  the 
S.  S.  "  Indiana  "  from  Philadelphia  while  not  connected  with  the  Red 
Cross  work,  a  similar  artistic  tribute  to  American  donors  was  presented 
by  the  workmen  of  Libeau  to  rej^resent  the  sentiment  of  the  workmen 
of  Russia,  we  introduce  it  as  an  additional  illustration  of  the  universal 
sentiment  of  tender  sympathy  and  gratitude  of  the  Russian  people. 

Dr.  Hubbell's  Report. 

Arrived  in  St.  Petersburg.  It  would  be  a  week  or  ten  days  before 
we  could  expect  the  arrival  of  the  "  Tynehead,"  with  its  cargo  for  the 
famine  sufferers;  but  we  had  a  copy  of  her  manifest  and  knew  what 
she  would  bring. 

There  was  something  of  anxiety,  amounting  even  to  consternation, 
among  those  who  would  have  to  do  with  the  reception  of  the  ship,  for 
reports  from  the  United  States  had  been  circulated  that  persons  were 
ou  board  the  vessel  who  were  objectionable,  if  not  avowed  enemies  to 
the  Russian  government,  and  such  could  not  be  recognized  nor  received. 
This  concern  could  not  easily  be  dispelled  until  it  was  made  clear  that 
no  one  was  aboard  the  "Tynehead"  save  its  own  officers  and  crew. 
Elaborate  ceremonies  had  been  held  on  the  arrival  of  the  other  relief 
ships  and  were  contemplated  for  the  "  Tynehead."  This  we  did  not 
want,  and  took  occasion  to  express  the  feelings  of  the  Red  Cross  and 
of  American  donors  in  a  letter  acknowledging  courtesies  extended 
from  the  president  of  the  Russian  Red  Cross  affording  opportunities 
to  visit  its  various  institutions,  and  particularly  the  regular  working 
departments,  in  its  clinics,  dispensaries,  hospitals  and  training  for 
active  service  in  civil  as  well  as  military  field  work. 

St.  Petersburg,  May  ^,  1892. 
To  His  Excellency,  General,  de  Kauffmann, 

President  of  the  Red  Cross  of  Russia: 

Honored  President  : — I  desire  to  express  my  thanks  for  the  courtesies  and 
the  privilege  of  becoming  acquainted  with  the  every  day  practical  work  of  the 
Red  Cross  of  Russia  as  shown  by  the  kindness  of  your  secretaries. 

Nowhere  have  I  seen  more  complete,  comfortable  and  generous  provision  for 
the  general  care  of  the  sick  poor  than  here  in  the  institutions  of  the  Red  Cross 
and  under  its  work. 

And  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  practical  experience  that  the  workers  are 
receiving  daily  will  greatly  increase  their  efficiency  for  service  in  time  of  war. 

It  will  be  a  source  of  pleasure  to  make  a  report  to  the  American  Red  Cross  of 
the  practical  work  of  the  Russian  Society  in  time  of  peace. 

Regarding  the  arrival  of  the  cargo  of  the  ship  "Tynehead,"  I  trust  your 
'.xcellency  has  already  understood  by  our  Charge  d'Affairs,  Mr.  Wurts,  that  no 


THK    RUSvSIAN    FAMINE.  1S5 

public  demonstrations  have  been  nor  are  desired.  This  cargo  is  largely  from  the 
people  of  an  agrictdtural  Stale,  many  of  whom  have  sufTercd  from  failure  of  crop? 
in  their  own  country,  and  thus  keenly  appreciate  similar  conditions  that  others 
may  suffer  when  such  a  vast  territory  as  the  interior  of  the  Russian  Kmpire  is 
denied  rain  season  after  season  in  succession  ;  and  they  have  simply  taken  this 
method  of  expressing  their  sympathy,  for  it  is  their  custom  to  give  in  like  manner 
in  their  own  country  whenever  occasions  of  calamity  or  suffering  of  any  kind  require 
the  aid  of  outside  help  At  this  particular  time  they  feel  that  perhaps  the  same  rains 
that  had  been  withheld  from  their  brothers  in  Russia  had  given  the  increase  to 
their  own  crops,  which  have  been  unusually  abundant  the  past  year  ;  and  thus 
added  dut^y  to  desire.  Moreover,  there  is  a  deep  brotherly  feeling  throughout  the 
nation  ;  for  our  people  never  forget  that  Russia  has  always  been  the  friend  of 
America. 

And  further,  the  arrangements  of  your  various  committees  in  the  matter  of 
distribution  leave  nothing  to  be  desired,  and  that  the  final  reports  will  afford  great 
pleasure  and  satisfaction  to  those  who  have  them  to  make,  there  is  every  reason  to 
believe.  With  great  respect, 

J.    B.    HUBBELL, 

General  Field  Agent  American  Red  Cross 
in  charge  cargo  "  TyneheadJ'* 


The  following  is  General  Kauffmann's  answer : 


St.  Petkrsburg,  May  \\,  1892. 
J.  B.  HuBBETX,  M.  D.,  General  Field  Agent,  American  Red  Cross: 

Much  Honored  Sir: — I  am  eager  to  express  to  you  herewith  my  most  sincere 
thankfulness  for  the  sympathetic  account  of  the  activity  of  the  Russian  Red  Cross  So- 
ciety, which  you  have  been  so  kind  to  give  in  your  letter  of  the  eighth  May  current. 
You  have  had  the  occasion  topersuadeyourself  of  the  common  direction  between  the 
Russian  and  American  Societies  of  the  Red  Cross,  by  which  the  help  to  our  fellow 
creatures  is  not  restricted  to  the  relief  of  suffering  in  time  of  war,  but  is  extended 
to  all  the  calls  of  national  calamities,  from  the  gratuitous  medical  treatment  of  the 
poor  to  the  large  help  afforded  in  time  of  epidemic  disease,  famine  and  other 
calamities.  It  is  to  me  a  great  pleasure  to  see  the  sympathy  of  the  American  people 
to  the  Russian,  the  proof  of  which  has  been  in  the  last  years  so  evident.  As  you 
are  instructed  by  the  American  Red  Cross  to  express  this  feeling  of  sympathy  to 
our  society,  I  beg  you  to  believe  the  heartfelt  expressions  of  the  like  feeling  from 
our  side,  which  I  pray  to  present  in  our  name  to  ypur  society  and  to  the  people  of 
the  United  States. 

The  gift  brought  by  the  "  Tynehead  "  will  be  accepted  with  deep  gratitude  and 
distributed  among  the  needy  people,  according  to  the  wish  of  the  givers,  through 
the  offices  of  the  beneficent  committee  under  the  august  presidency  of  His  Imperial 
Majesty  the  Heir  to  the  Crown. 

I  avail  myself  of  the  present  occasion  to  pray  you  to  accept  the  assurance  of 
my  perfect  consideration. 

The  president  of  the  Russian  Red  Cross  Society, 

M.  de  Kaukfmann. 


i86  THE   RKD   CROSS. 

Through  the  help  of  Mr.  Wurts  of  our  legation;  our  Consul-Gen- 
eral,  Dr.  Crawford  ;  Count  Bobrinskoy,  representing  the  Russian  Red 
Cross,  and  the  Government,  as  well  as  the  Czarowitch  Committee;  and 
through  the  active  help  of  Mr.  \V.  H.  Hilton,  an  Knglishman  at  the 
head  of  the  large  linseed  oil  works,  deacon  in  the  Anglo-American 
Church,  whose  thirty  years'  business  acquaintance  over  Eastern  Russia 
and  his  sympathy  with  a  people  in  distress,  particularly  fitting  him  for 
the  work;  with  these  agencies  the  assignment  of  the  cargo  was  arranged 
to  be  sent  to  eighty-two  famine  centres  for  distribution.  It  was  to  be 
consigned  to  persons  of  unquestioned  integrity  and  fitness  for  the  work. 
These  people  had  been  communicated  with,  and  theiracceptanceof  the 
charge  assured,  and  the  number  of  carloads  that  each  should  receive 
made  known  to  each,  that  he  might  make  the  necessary  provision  for 
its  reception  and  distribution.  Count  Bobrinsko)^  had  ordered  320 
freight  cars  to  be  in  readiness  at  Riga  to  receive  and  transport  the  cargo 
free  of  cost  to  whatever  point  might  be  desired.  When  these  prelimin- 
ary arrangements  had  been  completed  and  the  "  Tynehead  "  sighted 
from  the  signal  station,  we  started  in  company  with  Count  Bobrinskoy 
for  Riga,  the  port  that  had  been  previously  selected  by  the  Russian 
Ambassador  in  Washington  as  being  free  from  ice  and  most  favorable 
for  transporting  the  cargo  to  the  interior. 

The  "Tynehead"  was  a  big  ship,  one  of  the  largest  ocean  freighters, 
and  came  too  heavily  loaded  to  enter  the  harbor  until  her  cargo  had 
been  partly  discharged  by  lighters,  and  she  anchored  eight  miles  from 
the  port.  The  governor's  ship,  having  on  board  his  excellency, 
M.  Znovief ;  Count  Bobrinskoy,  representative  of  the  Czarovitch  Com- 
mittee; N.  von  Cramer,  representing  the  Red  Cross  of  Russia;  R.  Ker- 
kovius,  president  of  the  Exchange  of  Riga;  von  Richer,  chief  of  police; 
von  Keldermann,  chief  of  customs;  von  Nagel,  captain  of  the  port; 
N.  P.  Bornholdt,  United  States  consul,  and  J.  B.  Hubbell  steamed  an 
hour  down  the  river  to  welcome  the  "  T^'nehead,"  which  had  all  flags 
and  streamers  flying  and  by  the  activity  of  our  consul,  Mr.  Bornholdt, 
the  lighters  already  lying  alongside  to  take  in  the  grain.  After  an  hour 
on  board  the  captain  was  brought  back  in  the  governor's  ship  on  which 
we  lunched,  and  later  dined  at  the  governor's  palace,  where  the  captain 
was  presented  with  a  beautiful  tea  service  of  Russian  enamel  inlaid 
work  as  a  present  f:om  the  Czar. 

It  was  arranged  that  two  lines  of  cars  be  kept  on  the  dock,  into 
which  the  grain  should  be  carried  direct  from  the  ship,  which  lay  along- 
side the  wharf  As  soon  as  a  car  was  filled  it  was  shifted,  weighed 
and  sealed,  and  when  enough  were  filled  they  were  made  into  trains 


THK    RUSSIAN    FAMINE.  187 

and  sent  to  their  destinations  with  right  of  way  over  every  other  traffic 
on  the  road,  not  excepting  express  and  passenger  trains;  and  at  their 
destination  no  person  presumed  to  break  the  seal  save  the  one  to  whom 
it  was  consigned. 

When  we  reached  Riga,  we  learned  that  two  hundred  and  forty 
peasants  had  been  waiting  on  the  dock  two  days,  waiting  and  waiting 
for  the  ship  from  America.  Not  waiting  for  food,  for  Riga  was  not  in  a 
famine  province,  but  waiting  that  they  might  not  miss  the  opportunity 
and  the  honor  of  imloadiiig  the  American  ship  that  had  brought  food  to 
Iheir  unfortunate  brothers  in  the  interior.  As  soon  as  they  could  get 
into  the  hold  of  the  ship,  one  hundred  and  forty  of  them  began  the  un- 
loading. They  worked  night  and  day,  without  rest,  determined  to  unload 
the  entire  cargo  themselves  without  help.  But  on  the  third  night  our  con- 
sul, Mr.  Bornholdt,  insisted  on  their  having  a  relief  of  twelve  hours,  and 
when  the  twelve  hours  were  up  they  were  all  in  their  places  again,  and 
remained  until  the  cargo  was  out,  declining  to  take  any  pay  for  their 
labor.  Twelve  women  worked  along  with  them,  in  the  same  spirit,  in 
the  ship  and  on  the  dock,  with  needles,  sewing  up  the  rents  in  the  bags 
to  prevent  waste  in  handling. 

Only  a  part  of  the  "  Tynehead's  "  cargo  was  in  bags;  hence  for 
convenience  and  economy  in  handlnig  and  the  final  distribution,  we 
purchased  in  St.  Petersburg  and  Riga  43,000  additional  bags  to  sack 
the  rest  of  the  cargo,  which  in  all  amounted  to  nearly  117,000  bushels 
of  shelled  corn,  11,033  bags  of  flour  and  meal,  besides  small  amounts 
of  wheat,  rye,  bacon,  canned  goods,  drugs,  etc.,  requiring  307  Russian 
freight  cars  for  its  transportation.  Some  of  this  was  reshipped  on 
steamboats  sent  up  the  headwaters  of  the  Volga,  reshipped  again  on 
cars  nearly  to  the  foot  of  the  Ural  Mountains,  a  distance  of  3,000  miles 
from  Riga.  Notwithstanding  our  declaration  while  in  St.  Petersburg 
that  neither  the  Red  Cross  nor  the  American  people  desired  any  public 
ceremonies  in  the  way  of  acknowledgments:  dinners,  excursions  and 
public  demonstrations  and  illuminations  were  planned,  which  we  felt 
ourselves  obliged  to  decline  on  the  ground  we  had  first  taken,  that  any 
effort  and  any  money  proposed  to  be  used  in  this  manner  would  be  most 
acceptable  to  all  Americans  if  turned  into  food  for  the  hungry,  whom 
we  had  come  to  help. 

At  our  hotel  the  Russian  and  American  colors  were  crossed  over 
the  entrance;  in  the  shop  windows  were  the  American  colors,  and  in 
other  places,  where  it  seemed  that  these  were  not  easily  procured, 
title-pagesof  American  sheet-music  were  displayed — such  as  "America," 
"Hail  Columbia,"  "  Yankee  Doodle, "  "Star-Spangled  Banner,"  etc., 


i88  Till-:    RI-:!)    CROSS. 

and  little  ooys  in  the  streets  carried  American  flags  of  their  own  make. 
One  little  fellow  had  made  the  Russian  flag  on  one  side  and  the 
American  on  the  other  side  of  his  device.  The  telephone  office  was 
kept  open  all  night,  to  be  ready  for  any  possible  want,  and  the  loco- 
motive with  steam  up  for  any  possible  service.  The  Custom  House 
floated  on  its  main  staff  only  the  American  flag  during  the  entire 
time  of  the  unloading  of  the  "Tynehead,"  from  Saturday  morning 
until  Tuesday  noon — three  days  and  a-half.  When  all  was  finished  at 
Riga,  the  last  train  on  its  way,  all  had  been  so  well  planned,  so  well 
done  in  every  particular  that  we  felt  there  was  not  the  least  necessity 
for  any  further  attention  on  our  part  in  looking  after  this  charge.  But 
to  the  donors  at  home  Russia  was  a  long  way  off";  they  had  no  per- 
sonal knowledge  of  the  people  they  were  trying  to  help,  and  some 
critics  had  circulated  misgivings  about  the  gifts  reaching  their  intended 
destination.  Hence,  that  we  might  be  prepared  to  give  a  report  from 
personal  observation  for  the  satisfaction  and  the  gratification  of  the 
people  at  home,  who  had  contributed  these  stores,  it  was  decided  to  see 
how  some  of  the  final  distributions  were  made. 

Our  first  objective  point  in  the  famine  district  was  the  Province  of 
Nijni  Novgorod.  But  we  must  go  by  Moscow,  where  by  the  cour- 
tesy of  Count  Bobrinskoy  a  telegram  was  received,  stating  that  his 
brother  would  pass  through  the  city  to  the  famine  district,  and  his 
company  could  be  made  available,  if  desired.  Such  an  opportunity  was 
not  to  be  lost,  and  our  course  is  changed  to  the  south,  first  by  rail 
to  Bogorodizk,  thence  by  droschky  to  Michailovskoi,  to  the  house 
of  Shestoparoff",  manager  of  the  beet  sugar  mills  of  the  Bobrinskoys. 
Here  the  home  taste  and  appearance  of  everything  inside  make  one  feel 
as  if  he  were  in  his  own  New  England  home,  although  not  a  word 
of  English  is  heard.  After  breakfast  the  next  morning  we  go  to  the 
distributing  station,  which  is  supported  by  the  Bobrinskoy  family  in 
one  of  the  sugar  mill  buildings.  Here  we  find  the  doctor,  the  baker, 
the  soupmaker,  several  of  the  first  ladies  of  the  place,  great  cauldrons 
of  excellent  soup,  tea,  milk.  Nestle' s  food,  rye  and  corn  bread — the 
tea  and  milk  are  for  the  sick  and  for  the  children — and  the  doctor,  who 
is  familiar  with  every  family,  directs  who  shall  receive  and  what-  The 
bread  and  the  soup  are  served  on  regular  account,  the  houses  and 
families  all  having  been  visited  and  the  condition  of  each  carefully 
recorded.  As  soon  as  one  is  able  in  part  to  care  for  himself  the  bread  is 
sold  at  a  moderate  price. 

A  number  of  villages  are  supplied  from  this  bakery  and  kitchen, 
and  this  is  but  one  of  nine  carried  on  by  this  family  entirely  at  their 


THE   RUSSIAN    FAMINE.  189 

own  expense.  In  the  afternoon  we  visit  different  villages,  some  twenty- 
houses  or  more.  We  find  two  Red  Cross  nurses  from  Moscow,  who 
are  at  work  and  have  their  home  with  the  peasants.  In  four  months 
one  has  lost  but  four  cases  ;  the  other  but  two  ;  and  the  average 
number  of  sick  in  the  past  four  months  by  the  doctor's  report  is  three 
hundred.  The  peasants  say  they  would  rather  do  without  the  doctor 
than  be  without  the  nurses  in  the  village. 

The  peasants'  home  consists  of  one  or  two  square  rooms,  built  of 
logs,  stone,  or  mud  bricks,  with  floor  of  earth,  and  furniture  of  boards. 
One  quarter  of  the  room  is  given  up  to  the  brick  oven,  which  is  so  con- 
structed that  it  ser^-es  not  only  for  a  stove,  oven,  cupboard,  and  bed  in 
cold  weather,  but  the  chickens  and  small  animals  find  protection  from 
the  cold  underneath  during  the  severe  cold  weather.  Usually  a  large 
horizontal  pipe  of  terra  cotta  passes  overhead  and  out  through  a 
thatched  roof  of  straw,  which  is  often  two  feet  thick.  The  fuel  may  be 
wood,  straw,  or  dry  dung;  fuel  is  scarce.  A  deep  cellar,  well  covered, 
outside,  may  hold  potatoes,  roots,  etc.  The  cattle  and  other  animals 
find  shelter  in  a  room  adjoining  the  family.  At  Bogorodizk  another 
royal  family,  in  addition  to  work  similar  to  the  above  named,  supplied 
the  peasants  with  raw  material  for  spinning,  weaving  and  making  of 
native  goods  and  garments  both  for  themselves  and  for  the  market, 
which  the  countess  found  either  at  home  or  by  sending  them  to  the 
larger  cities.  Through  letters  of  introduction  we  had  the  good  fortune 
to  find  Count  Tolstoi  on  his  estate  at  Yasnia  Polonia. 

When  the  count  was  asked  his  opinion  of  the  cause  of  the  exist- 
ing conditions,  he  said  the  government  might  not  like  to  have  him 
say  that  the  peasants  should  have  more  land  and  own  it  themselves — 
that  now  they  have  only  enough  in  the  best  seasons  to  give  barel}^  food 
for  their  support,  and  when  a  year  of  scarcity  comes,  they  cannot  help 
being  destitute.  When  asked  if  there  had  been  improvement  in  their 
conditions  since  the  emancipation,  he  said  if  that  meant  in  the  way  of 
property,  financially,  no,  but  mentally  there  had  been  progress  and 
development. 

One  of  the  first  questions  Count  Tolstoi  asked  was,  ' '  What  do  you 
think  of  most?  I  would  excuse  him  for  such  a  question;  but  he 
always  liked  to  get  into  sympathy  with  the  person  he  was  talking  with 
and  to  know  how  to  understand  him.  What  subjects  occupied  ray 
mind  most  when  going  to  sleep?  "  etc. 

At  night  I  slept  in  the  library  surrounded  by  English  and  Ameri- 
can books  and  magazines. 

When  asked  about  the  demoralizing  effect   of  giving  free  help  to 


IQO 


THE    RIvD    CROSS. 


the  peasants,  as  said  by  many,  he  thought  that  an  excuse  of  those  who 
did  not  want  to  help.  The  peasant  was  never  so  unhappy  as  when  out 
of  work  and  had  nothing  to  do.  Even  a  day's  idleness  was  tiresome  to 
him,  and  he  did  not  think  that  a  people  who  had  been  worked  to  their 
full  endurance  for  a  generation  were  going  to  be  demoralized  by  giving 
them  soup  when  they  were  hungry. 

Peasants  were  coming  at  all  hours  of  the  day  to  see  the  count. 
At  dinner  time  two  had  been  waiting  several  hours.  The  Count  let 
the  dinner  go  on,  and  stopped  to  read  a  long  paper  they  had  brought; 
read  it  through  carefully;  had  a  long  talk  with  them;  unfolded  the 
paper  again  to  look  over  passages  more  carefully;  after  further  talk  he 
read  again,  and  told  me  after  they  were  gone,  for  I  remained  with  hira, 
that  they  were  having  a  law  suit  and  had  come  to  hira  for  advice,  and 
so  far  as  he  could  judge,  the  peasants  were  in  the  right. 

When  I  bade  him  good-bye  he  said,  from  what  he  had  heard  of 
Miss  Barton,  he  felt  that  she  must  be  a  very  near  relation,  and  wished 
me  to  give  her  his  love. 

Starting  again  for  Nijni  Novgorod  we  meet  at  Moscow  Mr.  Frank 
G.  Carpenter,  the  writer  and  lecturer,  who  accompanied  us  through  the 
Volga  and  southern  districts.  I^eaving  Moscow  in  the  evening  by  the 
fast  express,  we  reached  Nijni  the  next  forenoon  at  ten.  Here  we  were 
entertained  by  the  governor.  The  city  of  Nijni  Novgorod  has  a  popu- 
lation of  about  sixty  thousand  ten  months  of  the  year;  during  the 
other  two  months  its  population  is  increased  to  six  hundred  thousand. 
This  extra  population  from  the  twenty-seventh  of  July  to  about  the 
fifteenth  of  August  inhabit  the  "dead  city"  in  which  not  a  single 
family  lives  the  rest  of  the  year.  Yet  it  contains  one  of  the  largest  and 
finest  buildings  in  Russia,  and  not  a  match  nor  a  cigar  can  be  lighted 
at  any  time  under  penalty  of  twenty- five  rubles.  The  "  dead  city  " 
is  built  at  the  junction  of  the  Oka  River  with  the  Volga,  so  that  it  is 
yearly  inundated  to  the  ceiling  of  the  first  stories,  when  the  spring  rise 
of  forty  feet  or  more  comes  with  the  melting  of  the  snow.  Here,  too, 
is  located  one  of  the  largest  churches  of  Nijni,  and  on  the  Volga  side 
the  Siberian  wharves. 

In  the  living  city  is  the  residence  of  the  governor  on  a  clay  bluff 
four  hundred  and  seventy  feet  above  the  river,  with  the  business  part 
at  the  foot  of  the  bluff  adjoining  the  river.  Nijni  being  in  direct  line 
of  free  river  transportation  as  well  as  railway  connection  between  St. 
Petersburg,  Siberia,  China,  and  the  Caspian  districts,  the  Caucasus, 
the  oil  region  of  southern  Russia,  with  its  wine,  grain  and  fruit  dis- 
tricts, make  this  city  a  great  commercial  centre.     And  the  pulse  of 


THE   RUSSIAN    FAMINE.  191 

famine  or  plenty  is  probably  felt  here  as  soon  as  in  any  part  of  the 
empire. 

In  the  two  months  named,  traders  from  nearly  every  European  and 
Asiatic  country  gather  here  with  every  variety  of  goods  and  product 
that  can  be  carried  by  rail,  water,  or  caravan  :  grains,  hides,  leather, 
teas,  metals,  precious  stones,  fish,  meats,  cloths,  silks,  peasants'  works 
and  weavings;  and  the  great  sandbar  in  the  river  Oka  of  several  hun- 
dred acres  is  covered  with  Siberian  iron.  Electricity  furnishes  light 
where  needed,  for  it  will  be  remembered  that  it  is  light  enough 
in  this  latitude  to  read  at  midnight  in  summer  time.  Here  are 
also  royal  quarters  for  the  governor  and  State  officials,  whose  social  and 
executive  residences  are  in  the  "  dead  city  "  during  the  entire  time  of 
the  fair,  in  which  time  the  governor  is  an  absolute  czar  in  power.  To 
give  briefly  a  Russian  view  of  the  famine  and  how  it  was  felt  in  a 
single  province  and  the  Russian  manner  of  dealing  with  it  I  give  the 
following  abridged  account: 

Nijni  claims  to  have  been  the  first  provincial  government  of  Russia 
to  take  active  measures  to  relieve  the  sufferers  by  famine.  The  first 
news  came  to  the  governor  from  reports  of  dry  weather  in  his  province 
in  May,  1891,  for  the  crops  of  the  three  preceding  years  had  been 
short,  and  at  this  time  the  peasants  had  begun  to  ask  for  bread,  having 
already  sold  a  part  of  their  horses  and  tools;  and  only  two  of  the  eleven 
districts  had  sufficient  bread  for  their  people. 

Without  waiting  to  consult  the  general  government,  in  order  to 
save  time,  the  governor  took  the  responsibility  upon  himself  of  imme- 
diately purchasing  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  thousand  poods  (a  pud 
is  about  forty  pounds),  or  twenty-two  hundred  tons  of  grain,  and  sent 
this  in  the  early  part  of  June  to  the  districts  most  affected  by  the  drouth. 
He  used  his  influence  to  stop  speculation  in  grain,  Nijni  being  a  great 
grain  centre,  and  formed  a  commission  from  all  the  districts  to  carry 
out  relief  measures.  It  was  after  this  that  the  Department  of  the 
Interior  appropriated  one  million  rubles  ($550,000)  to  buy  bread. 

It  has  been  a  custom  in  Russia  that  when  a  loan  is  made  to  the 
poor peasayits  that  the  rich  peasants  of  the  community  are  held  equally 
responsible  for  the  payment ;  hence  they  have  fallen  into  the  habit  of 
claiming  an  equal  apportionment  whenever  loans  have  been  made  for 
relief  measures  in  times  past.  Thus  the  Zemstvo  (the  elective  magis- 
trates of  the  village)  have  the  power  in  themselves  to  say  that  they  had 
not  ordered  nor  asked  for  the  grain,  and  refuse  to  receive  it  for  those 
really  needing  it.  Hence  the  governor  of  Nijni  ordered  that  only 
those  receiving  should  be  charged  with  the  loan. 


192 


THE   RED   CROwSS. 


The  whole  loan  here  received  was  6,350,000  rubles,  all  of  which 
except  150,000  rubles  had  been  distributed  when  we  visited  the 
district. 

In  the  nine  needy  districts  of  Nijni  Novgorod  Province  there 
were  5X7,000  persons  needing  assistance  that  were  excluded  from  the 
government  loan  as  being  between  the  ages  of  fifteen  and  fifty-five — 
"therefore  able-bodied  and  able  to  work."  The  Nijni  governor 
followed  his  judgment  rather  than  the  instructions  of  the  Minister  of 
the  Interior,  and  seeing  that  this  amount  was  insufficient  and  that  no 
provision  had  been  made  for  cattle  and  horses,  he  tried  to  get  permission 
to  begin  public  works  in  order  to  furnish  labor  and  pay  to  those  need- 
ing it;  but  this  was  not  secured  until  December,  when  3,000,000  rubles 
were  appropriated  for  roads,  420,000  rubles  for  town  improvements, 
40,000  for  schools  and  churches.  From  eight  to  ten  thousand  men 
were  given  work  in  the  woods  at  fifty  kopeks,  27  cents,  per  day,  and 
one  ruble  and  fifty  kopeks,  about  77  cents,  per  team. 

To  secure  a  general  interest  of  the  people  the  governor  made  every 
public  commission  (boards  of  directors,  trustees,  etc.),  take  an  active 
part  in  the  relief  work.  He  created  commissions  among  the  nobility 
to  superintend  relief  work,  combining  the  Red  Cross,  the  churches  and 
other  individual  organizations  all  into  one  committee,  so  that  when 
the  Crown  Prince's  committee  was  formed  on  the  twenty -eighth  of 
December  341,550  rubles  had  been  received  and  distributed  besides 
52,020  poods,  2,080,800  pounds,  of  bread  which  had  been  given 
to  those  who  had  no  right  to  the  governmental  loan. 

By  contributions  three  hundred  and  thirty-one  kitchens  were  estab- 
lished in  villages,  giving  meals  for  one-half  to  two  kopeks  per  meal. 
Nijni,  with  a  living  population  of  sixty  thousand,  contributed  one  hun- 
dred and  ninety  thousand  rubles.  Places  were  established  in  Nijni 
where  twenty  kitchen  meal  tickets  may  be  purchased  for  one  ruble. 
The  citizens  buy  these  and  give  to  such  as  they  desire  to  help. 

From  Nijni  we  take  steamer  down  the  Volga,  and  through  the 
kindness  of  Mr.  Zeveke,  owner  of  the  American  Steamboat  Line,  so 
called  because  American  names  are  given  to  all  of  his  twelve  large 
steamboats,  we  are  allowed  time  to  visit  each  town  on  the  Volga,  as 
we  pass  down  the  river.  At  each  place  the  grain  has  been  received  and 
being  used.  At  Samara  we  find  Mr.  Bezant,  one  of  our  consignees,  just 
recovering  from  the  typhus  which  was  contracted  in  his  relief  work. 
And  we  get  direct  reports  from  Count  Tolstoi,  Junior,  whose  work  is 
in  this  province  farther  to  the  east,  and  Prince  Dolgoruhow,  another 
consignee  in  the  district  of  Burulich;  these  have  ten  carloads  of  the 


THE    RUSSIAN    FAMINE.  193 

"Tynehead's"  corn,  and  are  saving  the  lives  of  many.  At  this  time 
the  Province  of  Samara  alone  had  lost  five  hundred  thousand  cattle,  as 
many  horses  and  1,500,000  sheep  from  the  famine. 

At  Volsk  we  saw  many  people  around  the  church.  The  bells  in 
a  dozen  different  towers  all  ringing;  from  another  church  a  large  pro- 
cession of  a  thousand  people  were  coming,  bearing  on  high  poles 
crosses  and  banners  and  icons.  They  are  joined  by  the  people  from 
the  first  church,  with  their  crosses  and  banners  which  are  not  raised 
till  the  fi.rst  procession  is  joined,  and  all  march  in  their  variegated  red 
and  3-ellow  and  bright  colored  dresses,  with  bare  feet  and  uncovered 
heads  in  the  broiling  sun,  miles  away  to  the  open  fields  to  pray  for  rain, 
which  has  still  been  withheld  from  this  .section  of  SaratofF  Province. 

The  town  of  Saratoflf  has  a  population  of  125,000,  contains  many 
Germans,  from  having  been  one  of  the  German  colonies  founded  by 
Queen  Catherine  during  her  reign,  to  encourage  agricultural  industries. 
Here  as  in  Volsk  we  found  the  people  in  the  fields  praying  for  rain, 
and  in  the  evening  it  came.  Here  we  met  Mr.  Golden,  an  Englishman, 
who  has  been  the  active  agent  in  the  SaratofF  district,  and  Mr.  Muhler, 
a  German,  who  has  been  the  active  worker  on  the  east  side  of  the 
Volga  in  Samara  Province.  Both  these  gentlemen,  together  with  a 
Catholic  Bishop,  say  that  the  American  help,  both  in  material  and 
money,  came  so  timely  that  it  saved  thousands  of  lives  that  other- 
wise must  have  been  lost.  It  came  when  they  could  get  nothing  from 
other  sources,  and  their  thanks  to  America  are  unbounded.  The  relief 
was  "  as  if  the  Lord  had  ordered  it."  Of  the  "  Tynehead's  "  cargo, 
Saratoff  received  fifty-three  carloads  and  the  Province  of  Samara  one 
hundred  and  four  cars. 

There  was  a  small  quantity  of  the  corn  that  got  wet  when  put  into 
the  ship  during  a  rain  in  New  York,  and  had  begun  to  heat  when 
unloaded.  This  was  sent  to  SaratofF  with  a  suggestion  that  they  use  it 
for  their  cattle,  but  when  we  reached  that  place  the  peasants  had 
washed  the  corn  and  dried  it,  and  said  it  made  very  good  bread. 

As  a  typical  incident  and  as  an  expression  of  the  universal  feeling 
throughout  Russia  : — when  we  reached  the  platform  of  the  station  at 
SaratofF  to  start  westward,  a  Russian  gentleman  who  could  speak  a 
little  English,  and  another  one  and  his  wife  who  could  not,  came  to  the 
train,  with  an  attendant  bearing  champagne  and  glasses,  and  made  a 
speech  of  thanks,  expressing  the  gratitude  of  the  people  of  Russia  to 
America  for  the  heartfelt  sympathy  she  had  so  beautifully  expressed. 
The  help  she  had  brought  to  their  people  in  a  time  of  distress  made 
every  Russian  feel  to  want  to  personally  express  his  thank?.     Wishing 


194  THE    RED   CROSS. 

every  success  to  its  representatives,  they  drank  to  America  and  bon 
voyage. 

To  see  some  of  the  smaller  consignments,  on  our  way  eastward 
from  SaratofF  we  stopped  at  an  inland  station  and  went  into  the 
country  some  miles  near  Tambof,  where  two  carloads  of  corn  had  been 
consigned.  Here  it  was  being  ground  in  the  wind- mills  and  made 
into  the  old-fashioned  New  England  rye  and  Indian  loaves  and  baked 
in  great,  brick  ovens,  just  as  we  had  found  in  other  places. 

Referring  back  to  Riga.  After  the  last  car  had  been  sealed  and  the 
way-bills  sent,  we  were  speaking  of  the  harmony  and  unity  that  existed 
in  all  the  different  branches  of  this  relief  work,  and  it  incidentally 
came  out  that  the  count  and  his  family  were  carrying  on  an  extensive 
system  of  relief  among  the  peasants  in  the  famine  district,  supplying 
some  thirty  villages  with  rye  and  corn  bread,  obtaining  their  corn  from 
southern  Russia,  with  soup,  broth  and  tea  for  the  sick  and  Nestle's 
food  for  the  babies — the  latter  an  experiment  of  his  own.  It  was  sug- 
gested that  in  such  an  extensive  work  as  this  he  should  have  had  some 
of  the  American  corn,  but  he  replied  they  could  get  on  very  well  with- 
out it;  that  his  family  had  taken  that  work  upon  themselves  to  do  at 
the  beginning,  and  would  continue  to  do  it  until  next  August  and  did 
not  need  other  help.  I  expressed  a  desire  to  see  this  work,  which  I 
later  found  was  a  fair  sample  of  what  is  being  so  quietly  done  all  over 
Russia  that  its  extent  is  unknown  until  one  comes  upon  it.  And  it  was 
at  Michailoviski  that  we  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  some  of  this  work. 

Everywhere  we  found  people  of  all  classes  giving  their  time  to  the 
work  of  relief  to  supplement  the  governmental  help;  and  this  does  not 
mean  simply  directing,  superintending,  or  planning  work  for  others  to 
execute,  but  I  found  men  giving  up  their  own  business,  the  attention  of 
their  estates,  to  see  personally  to  the  detail  as  well  as  the  general  work. 
I  found  cultivated,  intelligent,  refined  women  making  their  homes  in 
the  huts  of  the  peasants,  where  they  could  be  nearer  their  work.  I 
found  countesses  working  in  the  huts  of  the  typhus  hospitals,  or  taking 
the  sick  into  their  own  homes,  giving  up  social  enjoyments  and  personal 
comforts,  their  own  plans,  in  order  to  make  their  work  of  relief  more 
effective.  If  the  official  side  of  Russia  is  subject  to  criticism,  as  some- 
times claimed,  surely  the  quiet,  personal  work  and  self-sacrifice  of  its 
people  in  this  calamity  is  an  example  for  any  Christian  land. 

Sitting  at  the  hotel  table  Count  George  told  how  his  conscience 
would  protest  against  a  good' dinner  after  he  had  returned  from  his 
investigating  tours  in  the  famine  district  to  learn  the  situation,  as  a 
member  of  the  Grand  Duke's    Committee,  for,   "the  ruble  spent  for 


THE    RUSSIAN    FAMINE.  195 

wine  and  coffte  would  keep  a  peasant  child  or  mother  a  whole  month." 
But  he  says  when  he  got  back  to  St.  Petersburg  a  few  days  away  from 
the  distressing  scenes,  his  mind  occupied  with  other  business,  it  did  not 
trouble  him  at  all  to  eat  a  good  full  meal  just  as  he  had  done  before. 

On  another  hand  to  show  how  suffering  continues  in  any  place 
from  lack  of  competent  oversight  this  incident  will  show. 

When  going  over  the  ground  to  see  how  the  relief  work  had  been 
done  for  his  committee,  he  came  to  a  village  that  was  in  a  very  bad 
condition.  Many  sick  and  dying  for  want  of  food,  he  asked  the  Zemstov 
if  a  kitchen  could  not  be  established.  The  reply  was  no;  there  was  no 
one  to  manage  it.  "But,"  he  said,  "you  have  a  school  here;  the 
teacher  can  take  charge  of  the  kitchen."  "  No;  he  is  not  capable;  he 
is  too  slow  and  of  no  account,  and  we  intend  to  get  rid  of  him  as  soon 
as  we  can  get  someone  to  take  his  place.  There  is  not  a  person  in  the 
village  that  could  conduct  a  kitchen."  The  count  in  his  rounds  came 
to  the  school  house  and  found,  as  he  had  been  told,  that  the  school- 
master did  look  miserable  enough  in  an  old,  worn  and  even  ragged 
coat,  and  learned  that  he  had  not  received  his  wages  for  some  months; 
there  was  no  money  to  pay  him.  His  roll  showed  a  list  of  sixty 
pupils;  there  were  but  fifteen  present.  When  asked  where  the  others 
were,  he  replied  that  it  was  so  near  the  holiday  time — only  ten  days — 
that  he  had  let  them  go  home.  The  count  turned  to  one  of  the  boys 
and  asked  if  he  had  had  anything  to  eat  to-day,  expecting  him  to  say 
no;  but  he  said  yes;  "  he  had  a  warm  soup  this  morning."  The  same 
question  to  the  second  boy,  with  the  same  reply;  and  so  on  with  all 
the  fifteen.  When  asked  where  they  got  their  soup,  they  said  the 
master  had  given  it  to  them,  and  had  been  doing  so  for  some  weeks. 

The  master  stood  in  the  corner  with  his  face  very  red,  looking  very 
much  ashamed.  It  was  then  learned  that  when  the  school-master  found 
his  pupils  coming  to  school  without  food,  he  began  to  use  the  savings 
he  had  laid  b}',  to  feed  them,  until  his  purse  would  not  allow  him  to 
continue  with  so  large  a  number;  and  he  had  let  all  but  the  fifteen  go, 
and  he  was  feeding  and  teaching  them  from  the  savings  of  other  years. 
The  count  said  he  could  not  pay  him  his  wages  due,  but  he  furnished 
the  village  with  the  means  for  a  soup  kitchen,  and  the  master  was  put 
in  charge  and  conducted  it  in  such  a  manner  that  no  one  thought  of  his 
being  an  incompetent  manager. 

The  shipping  of  the  cargo  of  corn  in  the  "  Tynehead  "  to  the 
Baltic  in  a  voyage  of  twenty-eight  days  and  its  distribution  through 
Russia  answers  a  number  of  questions  that  were  raised  when  the  propo- 
sition to  send  corn  to  Russia  was  contemolated.     These  questionings 


196  THE  RICI)  CROSS. 

came  from  business  men,  shippers,  boards  of  trade,  the  produce 
exch?nge  and  philanthropists,  and  by  some  it  was  stoutly  asserted 
that  corn  could  not  bear  ocean  transportation  that  distance  without 
spoiling. 

And  if  it  should  pass  without  spoiling,  it  was  affirmed  they  had 
no  mills  to  grind  it  in  Russia,  that  the  peasant  knew  nothing  about 
corn,  that  they  could  not  change  their  habit  of  living,  and  therefore 
would  be  unable  to  make  use  of  it,  if  received.  One  of  the  leading 
business  men  of  the  country  went  so  far  as  to  write  that  we  might  as 
well  ship  a  cargo  of  pebbles  as  a  cargo  of  unground  corn.  Hence  there 
was  a  degree  of  satisfaction  to  see  the  entire  cargo,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  a  small  quantity  referred  to  loaded  in  the  rain,  come  out  of  the 
ship  in  as  good  condition  as  when  it  was  put  in  the  hold,  and  to  find 
in  our  journey  in  the  interior  that  the  peasants  even  needed  no  sugges- 
tion about  grinding  it  in  their  windmills,  which  were  amply  sufficient. 

But  when  the  little  corn  that  had  heated  was  sent  to  Samara  with 
the  suggestion  that  it  be  used  to  feed  the  cattle,  with  four  additional 
days  in  the  hot  state  in  the  cars,  and  this  was  still  used  by  the  peasants 
and  called  ^ood,  it  removed  any  doubt  that  might  be  forced  into  one's 
mind  that  a  starving  peasant  would  die  rather  than  eat  a  food  that  he 
was  not  accustomed  to. 

Referring  back  to  St.  Petersburg,  after  our  list  had  been  made  up 
for  the  general  distribution  of  the  cargo,  Mr.  Hilton  carefully  went 
over  it  and  said,  from  his  personal  knowledge  of  the  people  to  whom 
the  consignments  were  to  be  made,  he  would  be  willing  to  personally 
guarantee  that  80  per  cent  of  everything  sent  according  to  the  list  would 
be  honestly  and  faithfully  distributed,  just  as  the  donors  wished,  and 
he  further  believed  that  the  remaining  20  per  cent  would  be  as  faithfully 
handled. 

My  trip  to  the  various  places  of  distribution,  widely  separated  and 
at  unexpected  times,  confirmed  Mr.  Hilton's  belief  that  the  entire  cargo 
could  not  have  gone  through  better  hands  in  any  land. 

To  be  able,  after  such  observations  and  inquiries,  to  give  this  report 
is  a  satisfaction  that  repays  for  all  the  anxious  care  and  responsibility 
naturally  felt  with  such  a  charge. 

To  add  to  this,  the  deep  gratitude  expressed  by  nobleman  and 
peasant  alike,  in  capital  or  in  far-away,  unfrequented  interior  village, 
always  the  same,  even  the  humblest  peasant  refusing  compensation  for 
any  service  rendered  an  American,  manifests  a  genuine  gratitude  and 
friendliness  to  America  and  Americans  which  has  characterized  Russia 
during  many  years. 


THE  SEA  ISLANDS  HURRICANE. 


Coast  of  South  Carolina. 

is  probable  that  there  are  few  instances  on  record  where 
a  movement  toward  relief  of  such  magnitude,  com- 
menced under  circumstances  so  new,  so  unexpected,  so 
unprepared  and  so  adverse,  was  ever  carried  on  for 
such  a  length  of  time  and  closed  with  results  so  entirely 
satisfactory  to  both  those  served  and  those  serving,  as  this 
disaster,  which,  if  remembered  at  all  at  the  present  day,  is 
designated  as  the  "Hurricane  and  Tidal  Wave  of  the  Sea 
'  Islands  off  the  Coast  of  South  Carolina. "  The  descriptions 
of  this  fearful  catastrophe  I  shall  leave  to  the  reports  of  those  who 
saw,  shared  its  dangers  and  lived  within  its  tide  of  death.  They 
will  tell  how  from  3,000  to  5,000  human  beings  (for  no  one  knew  the 
number)  went  down  in  a  night;  how  in  the  blackness  of  despair  they 
clung  to  the  swaying  tree  tops  till  the  roots  gave  way,  and  together 
they  were  covered  in  the  sands  or  washed  out  to  the  reckless  billows 
of  the  great  mad  ocean  that  had  sent  for  them ;  of  the  want,  woe 
and  nothingness  that  the  ensuing  days  revealed  when  the  winds 
were  hushed,  the  waters  stilled  and  the  frightened  survivors  began 
to  look  for  the  lost  home  and  the  loved  ones,  and  hunger  presaged 
the  gaunt  figure  of  famine  that  silently  drew  near  and  stared 
them  in  the  face.  How,  with  all  vegetable  growth  destroyed,  all 
animals,  even  to  fowls,  .swept  away,  all  fresh  water  turned  to  salt 
— not  even  a  sweet  well  remaining — not  one  little  house  in  five  hun- 
dred left  upright,  if  left  at  all;  the  victims  with  the  clothing  torn 
and  washed  off  them,  till  they  were  more  nearly  naked  than  clothed 
— how  these  30,000  people  patiently  .stood  and  faced  this  silent  second 
me.ssenger  of  death  threatening  them  hour  by  hour.  Largely  igno- 
rant, knowing  nothing  of  the  world,  with  no  real  dependencies  upon 
nny  section  of  its  people,  they  could  only  wait  its  charity,  its  pity, 
its  rescue  and  its  care — wait  and  pray— does  anyone  who  knows  the 
negro  characteristics    and   attributes   doubt   this   latter?     Surely,    if 

(197) 


(98  'THE  RKD  CROSS. 

angels  do  listen,  they  heard  pleading  enough  in  those  hours  of  agony 
to  save  even  the  last  man  and  woman  and  the  helpless  babe.  Some- 
thing saved  them,  for  there  is  no  record  of  one  who  died  of  star^ 
vation  or  perished  through  lack  of  care. 

I  have  promised  to  leave  these  descriptions  to  tho.se  who  saw.  1 
will  also  leave  the  descriptions  of  the  work  of  relief  done  at  the  field 
to  those  who  so  faithfully  performed  it,  the  members  of  my  working 
staff  and  the  volunteer  workers  of  other  fields  who  came  to  their  assist- 
ance on  this. 

I  place  here  the  more  important  of  the  reports  made  to  me  at  the 
time,  but  which  have  until  now  remained  under  seal,  no  general  report  of 
that  field  having  been  made.  The  main  interest  of  these  reports  will 
consist  in  showing  the  methods  of  work  adopted,  not  only  to  preserve 
so  many  people  in  life  with  so  small  means  as  we  had  at  hand,  but  to 
preserve  them  as  well  from  habits  of  begging  and  conditions  of 
pauperism;  to  teach  them  self-dependence,  economy,  thrift;  how  to 
provide  for  themselves  and  against  future  want,  and  help  to  fit  them 
for  the  citizenship  which,  wisely  or  unwiselj',  we  had  endowed  them 
with.  I  will  then,  with  the  reader's  kind  permission,  simply  show 
the  open  doorway  through  which  we  were  called  to  enter  that  field  and 
introduce  the  nationally  renowned  advocates  and  escorts  who  personally 
conducted  us  and  placed  its  work  in  our  hands. 

About  the  twenty-eighth  or  twenty-ninth  of  August,  1893,  the 
press  commenced  to  give  notice,  such  as  it  could  get  over  wrecked 
roads  and  broken  wires,  of  a  fearful  storm  coming  up  from  the  West 
Indies  that  had  struck  our  coast  in  the  region  of  South  Carolina, 
sweeping  entirely  over  its  adjacent  range  of  islands,  known  as  the  Old 
Port  Royal  group,  covering  them  from  the  sea  to  a  depth  of  sixteen 
feet,  with  the  wind  at  a  rate  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  an  houl 
—that  its  destructive  power  was  so  great  that  it  had  not  only  swept 
the  islands,  but  had  extended  several  miles  onto  the  mainland  of  the 
State. 

I  chanced  to  be  familiar  with  the  geography  and  topography  of 
that  group  of  islands,  having  lived  on  them  in  the  capacity  of  war 
relief  many  months  during  the  siege  of  Charleston  in  1863-64.  Know- 
ing that  they  scarcely  averaged  four  feet  rise  above  the  sea  level,  with 
no  mountains,  not  even  hills  that  could  be  called  such,  that  the  soft, 
sandy  soil  could  not  be  trusted  to  hold  its  tree  roots  firm,  that  the 
habitations  were  only  huts,  to  be  washed  awa3''  like  little  piles  of 
boards — I  thought  I  saw  no  escape  for  the  inhabitants  and  that  all 


THE   vSEA    ISLANDS    HURRICANE.  2or 

must  have  perished;  and  so  replied  to  all  inquiries  at  first  made  as  to 
whether  this  were  not  a  disaster  for  the  Red  Cross  to  relieve,  "No, 
there  was  nothing  left  to  relieve."  Later  and  more  reliable  news 
brought  the  astonishing  fact  that  it  was  estimated  that  from  thirty  to 
forty  thousand  had  survived  and  were  in  the  direst  need.  Was  not 
this  a  call  for  the  Red  Cross?  Still  more  emphatically,  "No;  if  that 
is  the  case,  it  is  beyond  the  Red  Cross.  Only  the  State  of  South  Caro- 
lina or  the  general  government  can  cope  with  that;"  and  again  we 
closed  our  ears  and  proceeded  with  our  work. 

But  the  first  week  of  September  brought  pitiful  paragraphs  from 
various  Southern  sources — one  I  recall  from  the  governor  of  the  State, 
in  which  he  proclaimed  his  perplexity  and  great  distress  at  the  condi- 
tion of  these  poor  people,  needing  everything,  and  who,  at  that  season 
Oi  the  year,  with  crops  all  destroyed,  would  continue  to  need;  and 
closed  by  wondering  "if  the  Red  Cross  could  perhaps  do  anything  for 
them. ' ' 

It  would  not  do  to  close  our  ears  or  eyes  against  this  suggestion, 
and  I  at  once  sought  our  congressional  neighbor.  General  M.  C. 
Butler,  of  South  Carolina,  then  in  the  Senate,  now  on  the  Cuban  Com- 
mission, asking  his  views.  The  response  was  such  as  would  not  have 
been  looked  for  in  that  busy,  hard-worked  Senator,  surrounded  by  a 
network  of  political  wires,  some  of  them  only  too  likely  to  be  "live;" 
he  dropped  all  business,  telegraphed  at  once  to  Governor  Tillman  at 
Columbia  to  learn  the  conditions  and  urgently  requested  us  to  go,  and 
he  would  even  leave  his  seat  and  go  with  us  as  soon  as  w^e  could  be 
ready.  Time  is  never  a  question  with  the  Red  Cross,  and  the  next 
night,  in  a  dark  cheerless  September  mist,  with  only  two  assistants,  I 
closed  a  door  behind  me  for  ten  months,  went  to  the  station  to 
meet  General  Butler,  prompt  and  kind,  and  proceeded  on  our  way. 
At  Columbia  we  were  joyfully  surprised  at  meeting  Governor  Tillman, 
prepared  to  accompany  us,  with  a  member  of  his  stafiF,  and  thu.s  power- 
fully reinforced  we  made  our  entrance  into  Beaufort. 

The  work  of  relief  had  been  wisely  placed  at  first  in  the  hands 
of  committees  from  both  Beaufort  and  Charleston,  comprising  the  best 
business  men  of  each  city — its  lawyers,  merchants,  bankers,  all  men 
of  prominence  and  known  practical  ability.  They  had  done  and  were 
doing  all  possible  for  them  to  do,  with  hearts  full  of  pity,  hands  full 
of  work,  themselves  large  losers  by  the  storm,  business  nearly 
wrecked,  and  needing  every  remaining  energy  for  the  repairing  of 
their  own  damages  and  those  of  the  citizens  about  them. 


202  THE    R^:D   CROSS. 

The  governor,  at  whose  request  they  had  formed,  realizing  the 
necessities  of  the  case,  sought  to  release  them,  calling  them  together 
in  each  city  and  successively  relieving  them,  placing  the  Red  Cross  in 
full  charge  of  the  relief.  With  the  little  knowledge  we  had  of  the 
conditions  and  surroundings,  it  would  have  been  madness  to  accept,  at 
least  until  both  more  knowledge  and  more  numerical  force  were 
gained,  and  the  refusal  was  as  prompt  as  the  proffer  had  been.  We 
however  promised  to  remain  in  Beaufort,  meet  with  the  committee 
each  (lay,  advise  with  them,  study  the  situation  and  report  our  con- 
clusions when  we  could  safely  arrive  at  them. 

Thus  we  remained  until  th^  first  day  of  October,  when,  realizing 
that  the  relief  coming  in  from  outside  would  soon  diminish,  as  the 
excitement  should  wear  away,  that  the  sum  in  hand  was  painfully 
small,  that  the  number  of  destitute  was  steadily  increasing,  that  the 
winter  was  approaching  and  they  must  be  carried  through  in  some 
manner  till  the  next  year's  crops  could  grow;  and  that,  in  order  to  do 
this  a  fixed  system  of  relief  must  be  adopted,  a  rigid  economy  enforced 
and  every  person  who  could  do  so  must  be  made  to  work  for  his  food 
and  receive  food  and  raiment  only  in  return  for  labor;  that  this  could 
only  come  from  persons  who  had  no  interests  but  these  to  subserve 
and  with  the  light  of  all  experience  that  could  be  called  to  the  task. 
Even  then  a  successful  result  was  questionable;  but  there  was  no 
question  of  the  fatal  result  of  any  other  course,  and  after  a  thoughtful 
council  of  our  official  board  (which  had  meanwhile  become  nearly  filled) 
on  the  night  of  September  thirtieth  it  was  decided  that  the  Red  Cross 
would  accept  the  appointment  of  the  governor  and  enter  upon  its 
duties  the  following  day. 

Accordingly,  at  the  meeting  of  the  next  day,  October  i,  4  p.  m., 
the  Beaufort  Relief  Commission,  as  appointed  by  the  governor,  was 
formally  released  as  a  committee  and  immediately  re-elected  by  the 
Red  Cross  as  its  "advisory  board,"  to  meet  and  advise  with  us  as  we 
had  done  with  them. 

Through  all  these  years  the  tenderness  springs  to  my  heart  and 
gathers  in  my  eyes  as  I  recall  the  kindly  and  affectionate  intercourse 
of  months,  without  one  break,  that  grew  up  between  us.  And 
although  some  have  been  called  to  higher  service  and  greener  fields,  I 
am  confident  that  none  of  us  will  ever  seek  on  this  side  a  better,  more 
trusted,  kindlier  association  than  were  found  in  these. 

I  desire  to  supplement  the  foregoing  allusions  to  the  storm  by  the 
full  and  ably  rendered  account  of  commodore,  now  admiral,  Beardslee, 


THE  SEA   ISLANDS   HURRICANE.  203 

then  in  command  of  the  naval  forces  of  that  section,  with  head- 
quarters at  Paris  Island.  The  admiral  and  his  charming  wife  wert 
our  neighbors,  and  most  efficient  helpers  through  all  our  work: 

Admiral  Beardslee's  Dksckiption  of  the  Hurricane. 

Mrs.  Beardslee  and  I  were  i)articipators  in  the  events  and  shared 
the  dangers  brought  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  Sea  Islands  of  South 
Carolina  by  the  terrific  West  India  hurricane,  with  accompanying 
tidal  wave,  which  desolated  those  unfortunate  islands  in  August,  1893. 

Since  our  recent  return  and  while  on  the  journey,  and  at  New 
York,  friends  whom  we  have  met,  and  new  acquaintances,  have  almost 
universally  exhibited  much  interest  in  the  description  of  the  situation 
of  affairs  on  those  islands,  before,  during  and  after  the  storm,  and  to 
many  the  simple  details  which  were  to  us  but  household  words, 
brought  the  first  realizing   sense  of  the  magnitude  of  the  calamity. 

Miss  Clara  Barton,  the  president  of  the  American  branch  of  the 
International  Organization  of  the  Red  Cross,  who  has  the  manage- 
ment of  contributions  and  of  the  dispensing  of  aid  among  the  Sea 
Islands  now,  and  had  occupied  a  similar  position  at  Johnstown,  made 
us  her  agents  to  dispense  on  one  of  the  islands,  where  weekly  we 
feed  over  four  hundred  persons,  and  I  know  we  are  but  doing  as  she 
would  wish,  in  continuing  so  to  act,  during  our  brief  respite  from  our 
work. 

Therefore  I  most  cheerfully  comply  with  the  request,  and  trust 
that  my  efforts  to  interest  and  revive  interest  will  not  be  in  vain. 

Geography  of  the  Coast. 

I  will  premise  with  a  bit  of  geography:  The  coast  of  South  Caro- 
lina is  bordered  for  over  a  hundred  and  fifty  miles  by  an  archipelago 
consisting  of  hundreds  of  islands  and  islets  from  a  hundred  square 
miles  to  as  many  yards  in  area.  These  are  nearly  all  well  wooded 
with  pine,  oak,  magnolia  and  gum  trees.  Many  of  them  consist 
largely  of  arable  land,  which,  before  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  was 
divided  by  hedges  into  great  plantations,  whereon  the  rich  planters, 
aided  by  their  hundreds  of  slaves,  cultivated,  besides  vegetables  of  all 
kinds,  the  famous  long  staple  "Sea  Island  cotton."  The  islands  are 
separated  from  each  other  and  from  the  main  land  by  arms  of  the  sea, 


204  THK    RKD   CROvSS. 

here  called  rivers,  or  creeks,  according  to  their  width  and  depth,  some, 
as  Beaufort,  Hroad  and  Coosaw  rivers,  from  one  to  three  miles  in 
widtli  and  thirty  feet  in  depth,  and  others,  which,  at  low  tide,  are  but 
marshes,  with  a  thread  of  water. 

After  the  War. 

After  the  war  the  large  plantations  were  subdivided  into  five,  ten 
and  twenty-acre  farms,  which  were  by  the  government  distributed 
among  the  "heads  of  families,"  generally  of  the  slaves  who  were  left  on 
them,  and  these  negroes,  with  their  descendants,  still  occupy  these 
farms,  living  in  comfortable  cabins,  each  plantation  having  its  own 
hamlet  or  colony.  After  the  first  shock  of  change  was  over,  these 
negroes  developed  into  orderly,  industrious,  thriving  Christian  com- 
munities. Each  farm  was  thoroughly  cultivated,  and  there  was 
produced  every  year  good  crops  of  potatoes,  sweet  and  Irish,  peas, 
corn,  melons  and  one  or  two  bales  of  cotton,  which,  mortgaged  to  the 
local  storekeeper,  generally  a  whiie  man,  furnished  them  with  groce- 
ries. All  raised  and  owned  horses,  mules,  hogs,  cattle,  turkeys, 
domestic  fowls  and  ducks.  All  were  owners  of  one  or  more  buggies, 
carts,  plows  and  other  agricultural  implements,  and  those  who  lived 
near  the  sea  owned  one  or  more  boats,  with  outfit  of  nets  and  fishing 
gear,  and  from  spring  until  winter  the  sea  yielded  abundant  harvest 
of  good  fish,  turtles,  crabs,  shrimps,  prawns,  clams  and  oysters,  and 
the  marshes  furnished  terrapin,  which  sold  at  very  remunerative  figures. 
as  I  well  know,  for  the  storm  took  from  me  nearly  three  hundred  of 
them.  Every  cabin  was  comfortable,  from  their  point  of  view,  fur- 
nished, and  in  many  were  sewing  machines,  house  organs  and 
melodeons,  and  for  every  member  of  the  family,  however  slightly 
attired  on  week  days,  a  fine,  often  gorgeous,  suit  of  Sunday  clothes — 
and  they  are  all  church-goers. 

The  great  barn-like  structures  chat  they  build  for  churches  are 
presided  over  by  preachers  of  their  own  race — "reverence  doctor"  is 
the  title — and  are  crowded.  They  have  also  smaller  places  of  w'orship, 
called  "praise  houses,"  where  they  assemble  once  or  twice  a  week  in 
the  evening  to  indulge  in  "shouting"  a  mingled  prayer,  responding, 
singing,  and  when  "spirit  dun  come  pow'ful,"  a  wild,  waltzing  sort 
of  a  dance,  such  as  I  have  seen  in  Africa.  They  have  schools  which 
troops  of  well-dressed  children  attend  daily.  There  are  lots  of  children, 
and  but  a  very  small  portion  of  those  under  twenty  have  not  quite  a  fair 


THE   SEA   ISLANDS    HURRICANE.  205 

common  school  education.  Said  an  old  aunty  to  a  lady  friend  of  mine: 
"Has  yer  children,  honey?"  "Yes,  aunty,  I  have  three  boys  and  one 
girl."  "Is  dat  all?"  "Yes,  isn't  it  enough?"  "Dat's  as  the  Lord 
wills,  honey;  to  some  He  sends  little  litters  and  to  some  big  ones.  I'se 
got  thirteen  head  and  I'se  dun  loss  four  head.  " 

The  Disastrous  Storm. 

The  climate  is  perfect,  very  little  labor  produces  good  results,  and 
I  think  that  without  going  more  into  detail  you  will  all  admit  that 
the  Sea  Islanders  were  a  happy,  contented,  vory  comfortably  fixed  set 
of  people.  So  it  was  at  the  going  down  of  the  sun  on  the  twenty- 
seventh  day  of  August,  1893.  When  the  sun  rose  the  next  morning, 
hundreds  of  those  cabins  had  been  swept  from  the  earth,  with  all  they 
contained.  Over  thirty  thousand  of  those  people  were  homeless, 
clotheless,  foodless,  with  no  resources.  Over  eight  hundred  were  dead 
(the  figures  are  from  actual  census).  A  hurricane  on  its  way  from  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico  to  the  north  had  swerved  somewhat  from  the  usual 
course  of  these  storms,  its  centre,  instead  of  following  the  Gulf  Stream, 
had  come  in  over  the  land,  and  the  great  uprising  of  the  surface  of  the 
sea,  which  always  occurs  at  the  calm  centre  of  these  storms,  caused  by 
the  low  atmospheric  pressure,  as  shown  by  low  barometer,  had,  instead 
of  dissipating  itself  on  the  surrounding  ocean,  inundated  our  islands 
to  depths  varying  from  one  to  ten  feet  according  to  the  height  of  the 
land,  the  average  height  of  the  tidal  wave,  above  high  water,  being 
about  seven  feet.  Thus  the  surface  of  each  island  was  a  sea,  and 
driven  by  the  tremendous  force  of  the  wind  over  a  hundred  miles  per 
hour,  as  recorded  at  Charleston,  north  of  us,  and  at  Savannah,  south, 
into  death-dealing  waves. 

The  houses,  all  built  on  TDosts  two  to  four  feet  above  groun(\  c'r^'^ 
down  like  card  houses.  Some  collapsed  and  crushed  their  inmates  ;ti 
the  spot;  others  went  drifting  off  with  men,  women  and  children 
clinging  to  them,  until  falling  to  pieces  they  dropped  their  living 
freight  into  eternity.  Some  escaped  by  seeking  shelter  amid  the 
branches  of  the  giant  pines  and  oaks;  some  were  so  saved,  but  others 
had  but  found  death  traps,  for  yielding  to  the  force  of  the  wind,  many 
were  thrashed  to  death  by  the  whipping  branches,  or  knocked  off  into 
the  raging  sea  below.  And  among  the  thousands  of  these  trees  which 
were  uprooted,  or  twisted  off,  were  many  on  who.se  branches  people 
were  clinging.     I  knew  nothing  of  what  was  occurring  on  other  islands 


2o6  THR   RKD   CROSS. 

than  the  one  we  were  dwelling  on,  Paris  Island,  where  I  am  in  com- 
mand of  the  naval  station  ;  for,  deprived  of  every  means  of  communica- 
tion with  the  outer  world  by  the  destruction  of  all  railroads  and  steam- 
ers that  connected  with  us,  telegraph  and  telephone  lines  down,  and 
all  of  my  boats  either  sunk  or  wrecked,  our  own  affairs  had  my  entire 
time  and  attention. 

A  Work  of  Rescue. 

I  have  been  a  sailor  for  forty- five  years,  and  as  such  have  battled 
with  many  tempests,  but  on  my  own  ship,  with  plenty  of  sea  room,  I 
have  known  what  to  do  to  increase  safety  and  lessen  danger.  But  in 
this  case  I  was  nearly  helpless.  Fortunately  I  alone  knew  this,  for  I 
was  now  surrounded  by  those  who  looked  to  me  for  help.  I  was  forced 
to  "keep  a  stiff  upper  lip,"  but  the  task  was  not  a  slight  one.  My 
house  is  a  two-story  frame,  built  on  brick  piers,  about  sixty  rods  from 
the  beach.  Between  it  and  the  water  were  six  negro  cabins  and  two 
quite  large  houses.  Shortly  after  sunset  the  weaker  of  them  suc- 
cumbed, but  the  tide  was  not  yet  so  high  but  that  my  men  succeeded 
in  saving  from  the  wrecks  the  women  and  children,  all  of  whom  were 
carried  first  to  the  largest  of  the  two  houses.  About  ii  p.  m.  the  tide 
was  at  its  height,  and  there  came  driving  onto  my  lawn  and  under  my 
house  great  timbers,  wrecks  of  houses,  wharves,  and  boats,  and  fortu- 
nately a  large  flat  boat,  called  a  lighter.  Some  of  the  braver  of  my 
men  captured  this  boat  by  plunging  in  up  to  their  necks  and  pushed 
and  pulled  it  to  the  house  where  the  refugees  had  gathered,  at  which 
the  screams  told  us  there  was  trouble.  They  got  there  just  in  time  to 
rescue  about  fifty  and  brought  them  to  my  house. 

During  all  this  time  the  rain  was  falling  in  torrents  and  every 
person  was  soaked  through,  and  as  the  wind  was  from  the  northeast, 
the  rain  was  cold,  and  they  were  chilled  through.  An  attempt  to  get 
up  a  fire  in  my  kitchen  stove  disclosed  the  fact  that  my  woodshed  was 
gone  and  there  was  no  wood.  Some  empty  packing  boxes  in  the 
garret  were  utilized ;  then  a  big  pot  was  put  on  to  make  coffee.  We 
then  found  that  excepting  in  a  few  pitchers  there  was  no  fresh  water. 
My  cistern  had  been  overflowed  by  the  sea.  Fifty  men  were  put  to 
bailing  and  pumping,  and  weather  boards  from  my  shed  and  servants' 
quarters  were  quickly  extemporized  into  gutters  and  pipes — then  the 
rain  proved  a  blessing,  and  we  were  saved  from  water  famine.  But 
there  were  chances  of  a  food  famine.      My  storerooms  and  those  of  my 


THE   SEA   ISIvANDS   HURRICANE.  207 

only  white  neighbor,  the  civil  engineer  of  the  station,  held  all  of  the 
food  on  the  island,  and  there  were  hundreds  to  feed.  Fortunately  it 
was  Sunday.  Saturday  is  our  marketing  da3%  and  we  nad  a  week's 
supply  under  ordinary  circumstances,  but  with  such  a  lot  of  boarders 
we  had  to  handle  it  very  sparingly. 

Thk  Next  Day. 

By  daylight  the  storm  had  modified  and  the  sea  subsided.  Then 
came  work.  First  of  all  my  mules  and  carts  were  started  with  search 
parties  for  drowned  people.  Before  night  there  were  nine  such  laid 
out  in  my  coal  shed.  To  those  we  gave  Christian  burial,  but  to  twelve 
others  found  during  the  next  forty -eight  hours,  guided  by  the  buzzards 
that  had  begun  their  feasts,  we  for  sanitary  reasons  had  to  treat  them 
as  we  did  the  many  carcasses  of  animals,  bury  them  at  once  where  we 
found  them.  On  the  second  day  I  captured  a  passing  sailboat,  one  of 
the  very  few  left,  and  obtained  from  Port  Royal  a  big  load  of  provi- 
sions, with  which  I  started  a  store,  paying  the  big  gang  of  laborers 
that  I  had  employed  with  checks  on  the  store,  where  food  was 
furnished  at  cost. 

Red  Cross  to  the  Rescue. 

On  the  fifth  there  came  to  us  a  great  blessing.  The  Red  Cross 
Association  had  been  appealed  to  and  had  responded.  Miss 
Barton,  its  president  with  her  staff  of  physicians,  nurses  and  other 
trained  people,  came,  investigated  and  took  charge  of  us,  and  under 
their  systematic,  business-like  methods,  taught  them  by  much  ex- 
perience in  many  great  calamities,  are  now  keeping,  and  will  keep, 
as  long  as  the  good  people  of  the  country  will  furnish  the  means, 
starvation  away  from  this  miserable  mass  of  humanity. 

It  may  be  that  in  this  favored  part  of  the  country,  where  cyclones 
and  earthquakes  do  not  occur,  many  of  your  readers  know  little  of  this 
organization.  I  will  tell  them  a  little  and  close.  During  our  war, 
in  1863,  a  congress  composed  of  representatives  of  the  leading  nations 
of  Europe  met  at  Geneva,  Switzerland,  its  object  being  to  make  such 
international  rules  as  would  tend  to  lessen  the  horrors  of  war  and  alle- 
viate the  sufTering.  The  United  States  was  invited  to  participate,  and 
Miss  Clara  Barton,  a  woman  even  then  well  known  for  her  career  of 
charitable  deeds,  and  for  her  abilities,  was  afterward  selected  to  bring 
in  the  United  States  to  the  treaty.     Miss  Barton  secured  for  the  United 


2o8  THE   RED   CROSS. 

States  the  privilege  of  adding  to  its  war  relief  that  of  sufferings  from 
storms,  earthquakes,  floods  and  other  calamities  due  to  natural  causes. 
This  addition  is  known  as  the  American  amendment.  An  American 
branch  was  formed,  of  which  Miss  Barton  was  elected  president.  She 
has  a  large  and  able  corps  of  experienced  assistants  scattered  through- 
out the  Union,  ready  to  respond  at  once  to  her  call  and  hurry  to  place 
their  services,  free  of  cost,  at  her  disposal.  This  corps  of  helpers  take 
nothing  for  granted;  they  investigate  for  them.selves  and  learn  accu- 
rately just  who  need  help,  and  how  much,  and  what  kind.  Books  are 
kept,  and  every  penny  or  penny's  worth  accounted  for.  The  Red 
Cross  does  not,  as  a  body,  give  charity — it  dispenses  intelligently  that 
of  others.  The  body  is  your  and  my  agent  to  see  that  what  we  choose 
to  give  shall  be  honestly  and  intelligently  put  where  it  will  do  the 
most  good.  Its  members,  from  principle,  do  not  beg.  It  is  their  busi- 
ness to  present  facts  to  the  public  and  let  every  man,  woman  and  child 
act  on  his  or  her  unbiased  judgment.  She  has  done  me  the  honor  to 
accept  my  service  as  an  amateur.  I  am  not  quite  so  strictly  bound  by 
the  rules  as  are  the  members,  therefore  if  anyone  detects  a  little  ten- 
dency to  beg  in  this  article  it  is  my  fault,  not  that  of  the  Red  Cross, 

Presknt  Headquarters. 

At  this  present  time  Miss  Barton  has  her  headquarters  in  Beau- 
fort, where  she  has  chartered  a  large  warehouse,  over  which  she  and 
her  staff  camp  out,  living,  although  I  am  told  she  is  well  off,  in  the 
plainest  of  styles.  Her  desk  is  a  dry  goods  box,  with  a  home-made 
drawer;  her  bed,  a  cot.  Her  agents  are  distributed  on  the  various 
islands,  living  in  negro  cabins  and  tents.  The  Red  Cross  flag  floats  in 
their  midst,  and  the  food,  clothing  and  other  articles  are  served  to  the 
crowds  of  negroes,  and  trained  nurses  and  physicians  are  caring  for  the 
sick  and  wounded.  Hundreds  of  men  are  laboring  digging  drains  to 
get  clear  of  the  brackish  swamp  water  left  by  the  mingling  of  sea  water 
and  rain,  building  houses  and  boats  for  the  helpless,  and  the  colored 
women,  made  beggars  by  the  storm,  have  been  organized  into  sewing 
societies,  which  repair  all  ragged  garments  sent,  turn  ticking  into 
mattress  covers,  homespun  into  garments. 

Detaii.  op  the  Work. 

There  is  now  being  served  out,  once  a  week,  the  following  rations, 
which  is  all  that  her  stock  of  stores  allows:     To  a  family  of  seven 


THE  SEA  ISLANDS   HURRICANE.  ^oq 

persons  for  one  week,  one  peck  of  hominy,  one  pound  of  pork.  To  those 
who  work  for  the  conimunit}-,  double  the  above.  To  sick  people,  a 
small  portion  of  tea  or  coffee,  sugar  and  bread.  She  would  gladly 
double  or  quadruple  this  allowance,  but  she  has  not  the  material. 

Thus  it  stands.  There  are  30,000  American  citizens  who  must  be 
almost  entirely  supported  by  charity  luitil  they  get  a  spring  crop  in 
April  or  May.  Unless  they  are  furnished  with  food  they  will  starve, 
without  bedding  they  will  die  from  exposure;  without  medicines,  of 
fever.  Everything  not  perishable  is  needed,  especially  money  to  buy 
lumber,  nails,  bricks  and  hardware  to  rebuild  the  houses,  cast-off  and 
warm  clothing,  cooking  utensils,  pans,  pots,  spoons,  etc.  Most  of  the 
express  companies  send  free  all  articles  directed  to  : 

Miss  Clara  Barton, 
Presidetit  Red  Cross  Association,  Beaufort,  S.  C. 
For  storm  sufferers. 

White  SuffereRvS. 

In  response  to  further  inquiries  Admiral  Beardslee  furnishes  us 
the  following: 

There  is  a  very  small  population  of  whites  living  on  the  Sea 
Islands,  and  of  them  the  greater  number  are  storekeepers,  supplying 
the  negroes  and  taking  mortgages  on  their  growing  crops,  principally 
the  cotton.  As  nearly  all  of  the  crops,  including  the  cotton,  which 
was  nearly  ready  for  picking,  were  ruined,  these  storekeepers,  in 
addition  to  great  direct  loss  by  the  flood,  which  swept  away  their 
storehouses,  have  lost  largely  by  unrecoverable  debts,  thus  they  are 
not  able  to  do  much  toward  the  relief  of  the  sufferers.  *  *  *  Among 
the  sufferers  there  are  a  few  white  families,  generally  descendants  of 
the  old-time  planters,  who,  having  recovered  by  purchase  small  por- 
tions of  their  family  property,  have  made  their  living  by  hard  work 
as  farmers  and  truck  growers.  They  are,  in  some  cases,  reduced  to 
abject  poverty. 

The  merchants  of  the  city  of  Beaufort  lost  heavil}-.  Most  of  the 
principal  stores  were  on  Bay  street,  their  storehouses  stretching  out  on 
the  wharf.  All  of  these  with  the  back  buildings  on  them  were  swept 
away,  and  the  merchants  are  not  in  position  to  give  much  help. 
Nearly  all  of  the  old  Southern  families  were  impoverished  by  the  war 
and  can  do  little,  and  that  little  is  to  a  great  extent  very  naturally 


2IO  THE   RED   CROSS. 

bestowed  upon  the  negroes  and  their  descendants,  who  were  at  one 
time  their  slaves. 

What  is  Needed. 

The  State  of  South  Carolina  is  poor,  one  of  its  greatest  sources  of 
revenue,  the  phospliatc  business,  which  paid  in  royalties  nearly  $600 
per  day  into  its  treasury,  and  expended  thousands  of  dollars  weekly, 
in  payment  of  labor,  was  badly  crippled  and  temporarily,  at  least, 
ruined.  All  of  the  dredges,  lighters  and  most  of  the  tugs  and  many  of 
the  "mines, "  the  great  establishments  where  the  phosphate  rock  is 
dried,  crushed  and  prepared  for  export,  were  destroyed.    *     *     *     » 

While  anything  or  everything  eatable,  wearable  or  usable  in  any 
shape  will  do  good,  I  would  suggest  as  most  valuable,  money  with 
which  to  buy  lumber  and  hardware  to  rebuild  houses,  and  food,  hard 
bread,  hominy,  pork  and  cheap  groceries,  warm  cast-off  clothing,  thick 
underclothing,  cooking  utensils,  such  as  frying  pans,  tea  kettles,  pots, 
pans,  etc.,  second  hand  as  good  as  any,  and  children's  clothing,  of 
which  but  a  limited  supply  has  been  received. 

There  will  be  no  necessitj^  to  mend  up  clothing,  the  sewing 
societies  will  do  that  and  prepare  for  use  bedticking,  homespun  and 
cloth  of  all  kinds. 


THE  SEA  ISLANDS   HURRICANE. 


RELIEF  WORK   SOUTH    OF    BROAD   RIVER. 

Next  to  the  account  of  Admiral  Beardslee,  I  desire  to  place  that  of 
Mr.  John  MacDonald,  who,  from  having  faced  death  in  the  rigging  of 
the  ill-fated  "Savannah"  for  three  days,  enduring  every  privation  and 
danger  that  could  be  endured,  still  lived  to  come  to  us,  and  to  generously 
volunteer  his  services  to  the  Red  Cross  as  one  knowing  how  to  feel  for 
those  with  whom  he  had  sufTered  in  common.  After  a  visit  to  the 
northern  end  of  the  islands,  and  a  full  verbal  report  to  us  of  their  con- 
ditions and  needs,  he  went  in  a  like  capacity  to  the  southern  end,  and 
finding  less  likelihood  of  other  assistance  there,  decided  to  take  this 
as  his  field  and  accordingly  made  headquarters  at  Hilton  Head,  where 
he  did  most  efficient  and  praiseworthy  work,  drawing  from  the  supplies 
at  Beaufort  such  as  could  be  spared  from  the  needs  of  the  other  hun- 
dreds of  distributing  points. 

The  work  of  Mr.  MacDonald  and  his  capable  wife  (for  he  married 
while  there  Miss  Ida  Battell,  a  charming  trained  nurse  from  Mil- 
waukee) was  intelligent  and  comprehensive  to  an  uncommon  degree, 
not  only  relieving  the  colored  population  of  the  entire  island,  but 
raising  them  to  a  higher  degree  of  industrial  intelligence  and  self- 
help  than  they  had  ever  dreamed  of.  I  desire  to  tender  in  behalf  of 
friendless  humanity  my  grateful  tribute  of  thanks  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
MacDonald  for  faithful  and  efficient  service. 

Report  by  Mr.  McDonai,d. 

On  the  night  of  August  27,  1893,  while  en  route  from  .Boston  to 
Savannah  on  the  steamer  "City  of  Savannah,"  the  terrible  devastating 
cyclone,  which  swept  over  the  Sea  Island  Coast  of  South  Carolina,  was 
experienced  by  me  in  all  its  awfulness,  terminating  in  the  wreck  and 
complete  break  up  of  that  magnificent  ship,  and  the  terrible  suffering 
and  endurance  of  three  days  lashed  to  the  rigging,  without  food  or 
water  and  facing  and  hourly  expecting  death.  Where  could  help  come 
from?  All  the  boats  and  ships  in  the.se  waters  had  probably  met  the 
same  fate  as  ours.  All  hope  of  help  from  nearby  was  abandoned,  and 
our  eyes  were  fastened  on  the  North  with  anxious  watchfulness.  On 
the  third  night,  when  all  hope  had  died  out,  in  the  darkness  shot  up 


212  THE   RED   CROSS. 

a  bright  signal  light — the  last  we  had  on  board — and  in  a  few  moments 
another  light  shot  out  into  the  sky  about  two  miles  away;  our  cry  for 
help  was  answered !  Out  of  the  North  came  help  to  us,  and  after  the 
perilous  work  of  rowing  from  one  ship  to  the  other,  trip  after  trip, 
through  breakers  and  high-running  seas,  we  were  saved  and  carried 
into  port. 

On  arriving  in  Savannah  and  seeing  from  the  papers,  as  the  re- 
ports slowly  came  in,  the  awful  wreckage  which  had  been  wrought  on 
the  islands,  my  sympathies  were  naturally  aroused,  for  who  could 
better  know  what  these  people  must  have  passed  through?  When,  a 
few  days  later, the  call  was  issued  for  the  Red  Cross  to  assume  control  of 
the  relief  work,  I  abandoned  the  plans  which  had  brought  me  South 
and  joined  Miss  Barton's  forces. 

A  first  inspection  of  the  devastated  district  was  appalling,  and 
even  as  the  scenes  of  distress,  sickness  and  destitution  became  more 
familiar,  its  sadness  did  not  wear  away.  Here  were  prett)^  islands, 
where,  a  few  days  before,  cotton  had  been  in  its  full  luxuriance,  corn 
almost  ready  for  harvesting  waving  in  the  breeze,  a  bounteous  harvest 
smiling  in  the  faces  of  a  contented  people,  their  little  homes  intact  and 
comfortable  and  each  one  congratulating  himself  and  each  other  on  a 
prosperous  season  as  the  fruits  of  their  labors.  Yes,  prosperous,  for 
to  these  colored  people,  whose  needs  are  small,  whose  ambition 
receives  no  stimulus,  fifty  or  sixty  bushels  of  corn  is  a  bounteous  har- 
vest.     But  the  storm  came! 

In  a  few  hours  neat  cottages  were  a  heap  of  ruins,  scattered  per- 
haps miles  away ;  giant  trees  lay  across  the  roads,  twisted  and  knotted 
into  almost  impossible  shapes;  corn  and  cotton  gone,  and  human 
beings — missing.  Roads  flooded  with  water,  almost  impassable,  but 
still  alive  with  people — here  a  mother  looking  for  her  children,  a 
husband  for  his  wife,  children  for  their  parents.  There  in  the  marsh, 
a  dark  object  is  seen  lying  prostrate.  Onward  they  push,  waist  deep 
in  water  and  mud,  till  they  grasp  the  inanimate  object,  and  after  a 
moment's  silence  a  piercing  wail  announces  another  loved  one  found, 
dead.  Go  with  them  as  they  carry  their  dead  home.  Home!  where 
is  it?     Gone! 

A  few  boards  or  branches  of  trees  have  been  put  together,  tent 
fashion,  covered  with  corn  stalks  and  mud,  and  into  this  the  family 
crowd,  wet  (for  it  rained  incessantly  nearly  two  weeks  after  the  storm), 
hungry,  sick,  ragged  and  helpless,  unable  to  think  or  act  for  them- 
selves, dazed  by  the  calamity  which  had  befallen  them;  they  looked 


THE  SKA   ISLANDS   HURRICANK  213 

around  for  some  hand  to  lead  them  out  of  their  pitiable  condition, 
but  everywhere  the  same  wreckage  and  destitution  faced  them.  But 
where  should  they  look  ? 

As  we  on  the  wreck  amidst  the  breakers  looked  northward,  so 
these  people  cast  their  eyes  thither  and  sent  out  a  plea  for  help. 
Hoping  against  hope,  they  lingered  on,  until,  when  everything  seemed 
darkest,  a  gleam  of  light  shot  out  of  the  Northern  .sky  and  help  came 
quickly;  they  were  saved  from  starvation.  They  grasped  at  the 
finger  of  help  extended  to  them,  as  a  drowning  man  at  a  straw, 
and  with  a  supreme  effort  dragged  themselves  out  of  a  listless, 
apathetic  condition  and  endeavored  out  of  chaos  to  bring  order.  With 
such  a  vast  territory,  and  so  many  thousands  of  destitute  people  to 
care  for,  the  task  of  systematizing  the  work  was  a  heavy  one.  It 
was,  however,  divided  into  districts,  and  each  willing  helper  entered 
on  his  labor  with  very  little  to  encourage  him,  but  with  obstacles 
innumerable.  How  to  get  from  island  to  island — boats  all  wrecked; 
how  to  get  supplies  to  them;  how  to  pick  out  the  most  needy  cases  to 
serve  first  when  all  were  needy  and  the  .supplies  scanty.  The  steam 
launch  from  the  United  States  navy-yard  was  placed  at  my  service  and 
provisioned  for  a  week. 

I  started  out  to  the  district  assigned  me,  comprising  the  following 
named  islands:  Hilton  Head,  Pinkney,  Harry  Young,  Savage,  Hunt- 
ing, Bull's,  Spring,  Barataria  and  Dawfuskie,  with  Bluffton  on  the 
mainland  south  of  Broad  River,  a  treacherous  stream,  four  miles  wide, 
which  received  the  full  fury  of  the  Atlantic  and  renders  navigation  by 
small  craft  hazardous.  To  prevent  as  far  as  possible  any  imposition  on 
the  part  of  applicants  for  relief,  who  were  not  in  absolute  necessity,  I 
made  my  inspection  from  house  to  house,  going  into  their  corn  cribs  and 
estimating  from  their  supply  on  hand  how  long  they  could  ^'jf/.y/ without 
assistance.  The  condition  of  their  houses,  clothing  and  sickness  in 
their  families  was  also  carefully  noted.  The  stagnant  water  lying 
on  the  land,  with  no  outlet,  the  hot  sun,  beating  down  on  decaying 
animal  and  vegetable  matter,  the  drinking  water  all  polluted,  had 
caused  malaria  in  its  worst  form  to  be  general  amongst  the  people. 
With  my  medicine  case  constantly  with  me,  scantily  provided  with 
quinine  and  other  simple  remedies,  I  relieved  the  cases  as  I  met  them, 
.sending  the  wor.st  cases  to  Beaufort,  where  they  could  be  attended  to  by 
one  of  the  doctors  on  the  staff  of  the  Red  Cross  located  at  headquarters. 

After  examining  some  three  hundred  families  on  Hilton  Head 
Island,  after  driving   from  one   end    of    the    island   to  the  other — • 


214  THK    RKD    CROSS. 

♦Iftceii  miles — and  being  met  on  every  hand  with  appeals  for  aid  of  every 
description,  from  young  and  old,  from  strong,  healthy,  able-bodied 
men  to  weak,  tottering  old  uncles  and  aunties,  I  concluded  that  issu- 
ance of  relief,  without  requiring  some  work  from  those  able  to  work, 
would  be  demoralizing,  and  act  as  an  incentive  to  people  outside  to 
flock  to  the  islands,  claiming  assistance.  What  work  should  be 
organized  was  the  next  question.  There  were  no  ditches  on  the 
islands.  Those  which  had  been  dug  in  ante-bellum  times  had  become 
filled  up.  Had  there  been  any  outlet  or  drainage  of  any  description, 
so  that  the  waters  could  have  run  off  the  land,  the  loss  of  crops  conse- 
quent on  the  heavy  rains  which  followed  the  storm  would  not  have 
been  so  serious.  I  therefore  put  those  who  were  able  to  work  digging 
ditches,  those  refusing  to  work  I  refused  assistance.  The  result  of  this 
was  that  a  total  length  of  about  thirty-seven  miles  of  ditches,  varying 
from  two  to  four  feet  wide  and  from  two  to  six  feet  deep,  were  dug.  The 
benefit  of  this  work  was  apparent  during  the  summer  and  fall  follow- 
ing, which  was  an  unusually  wet  season,  and  in  the  bottom  lands,  but 
for  these  ditches,  the  crops  would  have  been  inundated.  As  it  was, 
exceptionally  good  crops  were  produced,  the  health  of  the  island  was 
improved  and  a  large  area  of  otherwise  waste  land  was  reclaimed  and 
rendered  tillable. 

After  visiting  mj^  district  I  concluded  to  make  Hilton  Head  my 
headquarters.  There  was  no  building  available  so  tents  had  to  be 
brought  over  for  our  use  as  storage,  hospital,  sewing  and  living 
accommodations.  What  willing  hands  to  help  make  our  camp  com- 
fortable !  Some  making  cupboards,  desks,  stools,  benches,  bedsteads, 
out  of  old  packing  boxes,  some  gathering  moss  to  lay  on  the  floor  as  a 
carpet,  and  finally  unfurling  the  Red  Cross  flag  to  the  breeze  and  we 
were  established.  To  simplify  the  work  of  issuing  supplies  weekly,  I 
gave  each  family  a  card.  On  this  I  marked  everything  to  be  issued 
and  each  issue  was  crossed  off,  preventing  it  being  presented  twice  in 
one  week.  It  also  enabled  the  old  and  sick  to  send  by  children  or  any 
one  else,  and  receive  the  supplies  without  coming  themselves. 

How  shall  I  describe  our  daily  work?  No  regular  hours,  no  rou- 
tine, no  system  apparently,  and  yet  everything  went  along  in  the 
twenty-four  hours  of  duty  as  smoothly  as  possible.  No  regular  hours? 
No;  unless  from  sunrise  to  sunrise  may  be  counted  regular.  No 
routine — no  system?  No;  unless  attending  to  everything  as  soon  as 
it  presented  itself  may  be  called  system.  At  daylight  the  applicants 
would  be  around  the  tents  waiting  to  see  ' '  Mr.  Red  Cross, ' '  and  from 


THE   SKA    ISLANDS    HURRICANE.  215 

then  on  a  steady  stream  of  people,  some  sick,  wanting  medicine; 
some  hungry,  wanting  food;  some  ragged,  wanting  clothes;  some 
loafers,  wanting  anything  they  could  get.  As  soon  as  this  stream 
could  be  stennned.and  a  little  breakfast  eaten  hastily,  came  visits  to  the 
sick  who  were  unable  to  come  to  us;  and  in  all  sorts  and  conditions  of 
vehicles,  from  a  shaky  cart  with  an  ox  as  motive  power,  to  a  roadcart 
behind  a  mule,  we  went  wherever  we  were  called.  On  returning  to 
camp,  deputations  of  applicants  from  other  islands  would  be  in  waiting, 
and  while  eating  dinner,  these  would  be  attended  to.  After  this  the 
men  working  on  the  ditches  would  be  visited.  When  it  became  dark 
and  everyone  had  gone  home,  we  would  visit  our  hospital  tents,  make 
patients  comfortable  for  the  night,  and  retire  to  our  own  tents,  hoping 
to  sleep,  hoping  against  hope,  for  "the  poor  ye  have  always  with  you:" 
and  this  case  was  no  exception,  for  at  all  hours  of  the  night  we  were 
called  out  to  go  anywhere  from  one  to  six  or  seven  miles,  to  attend 
someone  who  was  sick  or  dying.  In  the  midst  of  this  work  visits  had 
to  be  paid  periodically  to  the  other  islands  in  my  district  (where  I  had 
local  committees  to  look  after  the  distribution  of  supplies)  often  taking 
up  two  or  three  days.  And  what  a  scene  of  bustle  our  camp  presented 
every  Friday  when  the  .supplies  came  !  Thirty  or  forty  carts  in  line 
at  the  landing— the  boat  arrives — all  hands  help  unload,  and  then  load 
the  carts,  the  number  of  sacks  or  boxes  in  each  cart  being  marked 
down  against  the  driver,  and  away  they  go  to  the  camp,  three  miles 
away.  As  soon  as  they  arrive,  the  crowd  of  waiting  recipients  hand 
in  their  cards,  and  as  they  are  called  in  one  by  one,  their  bags  ready 
opened,  the  "weekly  ration  "  is  quickly  measured,  dropped  in,  the 
card  returned  marked,  and  away  they  go.  While  all  this  is  being 
done,  a  flotilla  of  small  boats  from  the  other  islands  in  the  district,  is 
at  the  landing,  and  as  each  "captain"  presents  his  order  issued  by 
me,  my  storekeeper  gives  him  the  supply  for  his  island,  and  away  he 
goes  home,  to  enact  the  same  scene  with  cards  and  empty  bags  and 
hungry  people.  Nor  was  this  all.  Houses  must  be  built,  lumber  and 
nails  measured  and  distributed  (tents  being  provided  for  the  houseless 
temporarily).  Those  whose  houses  were  not  damaged  were  required  to 
help  others  rebuild.  Their  clothing  had  to  be  brought  over,  repaired  and 
distributed.    How  this  was  done  is  shown  in  Mrs.  Macdonald's  report. 

This  seems  very  simple  to  write  about  now  after  a  year's  lap.se  of 
time,  but  it  does  not  convey  to  the  mind  of  the  reader  the  constant 
anxiety  resting  on  the  mind  of  the  Red  Cross  officer,  with,  as  I  had, 
2,554  P<2ople  in  absolute  need  of  all  the  necessaries  of  life  ;  separated 


2i6  THE   RED   CROSS. 

from  Beaufort,  tlie  source  from  which  I  had  to  draw  all  my  supplies,  by 
Broad  River,  with  the  majority  of  the  boats  in  this  district  rendered 
helpless  by  the  storm — it  was  a  matter  of  constant  anxiety  how  I  should 
get  my  weekly  supplies  for  this  large  number  of  people,  scattered  over 
so  large  a  territory,  with  so  many  rivers  to  cross.  If  the  supplies  were 
not  here  on  time,  think  of  these  people  having  to  tramp  home  empty- 
handed  to  hungry  children,  who  could  not  understand  that  "  it  was  too 
rough  to  cross  Broad  River."  With  this  difficulty  constantly  before 
me,  it  is  a  satisfaction  now  to  put  on  record  the  self-sacrificing  zeal  of 
one  colored  man  on  Hilton  Head  Island — Ben  Green — who  placed  his 
boat  and  the  services  of  himself  and  men  at  my  disposal  and,  without 
fee  or  reward  of  any  kind,  for  several  months,  during  good  and  bad 
weather,  brought  over  the  large  amount  of  supplies  required  for  this 
district.  Another  anxiety  was,  whether,  when  the  boat  went  to 
Beaufort,  sufficient  supplies  would  be  on  hand  to  satisfy  the  demands 
of  all  the  districts,  or  whether  I  should  be  put  on  "half  rations." 
Amid  all  this  anxiety,  there  were  occasional  gleams  of  sunshine  to 
cheer  us  in  our  arduous  work,  as,  when  I  received  from  Miss  Sarah  S. 
Monroe,  of  13  W.  Ninth  street.  New  York,  two  boxes  of  delicacies  for 
the  sick,  and,  after  Mrs.  Macdonald  had  cooked  beef  tea,  corn  starch, 
etc.,  and  sent  it  round  by  little  girls  to  the  old  and  sick,  how  they 
would  "  tank  de  good  L,awd  fer  sendin'  de  buckra  to  look  after  us  po' 
cuU'd  folks;  "  how  the  name  of  "Miss  Cla'  Ba'ton  "  was  on  every- 
body's tongue,  the  infant  girls  named  Clara  Barton  and  the  boys 
"Red  Cross."  The  self-appointed  "Red  Cross  Deacons,"  with  an 
enormous  Red  Cross  stitched  on  a  piece  of  white  cotton  and  worn  on 
the  left  arm,  were  conspicuous  in  showing  their  gratitude  for  the 
bounty  received.  Then,  when  planting  time  came  and  seeds  of  every 
description  and  in  large  quantities  were  distributed  to  them,  how 
eagerly  they  w^orked  in  their  gardens,  planting  garden  ''yarbs" 
(herbs)  and  then  their  corn,  cotton,  etc.  Our  thanks  are  due  to  the 
J.  C.  Vaughan  Seed  Store  of  New  York  and  Chicago  (through  Mr.  Burt 
Eddy,  their  Southern  Agent),  for  a  large  supply  of  potatoes  and  other 
seeds  sent  direct  to  me. 

A  brief  summary  of  food  supplies  issued  in  my  district  shows : 

Meat 7,440    lbs. 

Grits 16,410    pecks. 

Beef 395 

^^L^ ^92  cans  j,p„,ti,^3i^.k. 

CofiFee 143    lbs. 

Sugar     ...........      I20    lbs. 


ks. 

} 


X'KSTIMONIAL   FROM   RUSSIAN   WORKMEN   FOR   AMERICAN   HELP 
AND   SYMPATHY   IN   THE   FAMINE   OF    1S92. 


THE   SEA   ISI.ANDS    HURRICANE.  riQ 

There  were  454  cases  of  sickness  treated  at  the  camp  and  75  visits 
made  to  the  sick  at  home.  In  May,  with  the  vegetables  and  wild 
fruits  in  good  supply  and  marketable,  their  crops  all  growing  well,  I 
asked  the  people,  "  Can  you  manage  to  get  along  now  without  further 
help?"  They  answered  "Yes  ;  we  are  thankful  for  what  has  been  done 
for  us,  and  will  try  to  pull  through  till  harvest,  alone."  On  the 
twentieth  of  May  I  issued  a  month's  supply  to  each  family,  took  down 
the  Red  Cross  flag  and  closed  the  relief  work  for  this  district.  A  year 
has  passed  since  then.  I  am  now  a  permanent  resident  on  Hilton  Head 
Island.  I  watched  the  crops  grow,  saw  a  good  harvest  gathered  in, 
the  people  resumed  their  old-time  cheerful  tone,  and  the  storm  became 
a  memory.  With  the  exception  of  a  very  few  old  people  who  are 
hardly  able  to  totter,  and  have  no  one  to  plant  or  work  for  them,  the 
people  of  this  island  are  again  prosperous  and  happy.  Occasionally 
some  kind  friend  enables  me  still  to  make  some  old  uncle  or  auntie 
happy  with  a  litUe  help,  and  so  they  totter  down  to  "where  the  storme 
shall  cease  to  roll." 


THK   RED   CROSS. 


CLOTHING   BRANCH,  HILTON  HEAD   DISTRICT. 

REPORT   BY    MRS.    MACDONALD. 

Accustomed  as  I  had  been,  in  Chicago  and  other  large  cities,  to 
see  a  miscellaneous  assortment  of  rags  worn  under  the  name  of  cloth- 
ing, I  was  little  prepared  for  the  sight  of  the  almost  nude  condition  of 
the  great  mass  of  people,  which  came  to  my  notice  on  first  entering  on 
the  relief  work  of  the  Sea  Island  Sufferers.  After  a  couple  of  days  and 
nights  spent  in  the  clothing  room  in  Beaufort,  packing  barrels  and 
boxes  for  the  Hilton  Head  District,  we  proceeded  there  and  amid  loud 
exclamations  of  "  closen  "  had  the  freight  hauled  to  our  camp.  Before 
an  hour  had  passed  we  were  besieged  with  applicants,  but  as  our 
present  supply  was  limited,  we  could  only  attend  to  a  few  of  the  worst 
cases,  and  these  were  told  to  come  at  ten  o'clock  the  next  morning. 
Having  already  procured  the  information  regarding  the  families — ages, 
sex  and  number  of  children — we  spent  the  time  in  putting  into  bundles 
suitable  clothing  for  such  as  had  been  told  to  come.  Fearful  of  being 
late,  they  began  to  assemble  by  daylight,  and  as  each  man  or  woman 
was  seen  emerging,  "  toting  "  the  bundle,  a  hum  of  voices  would  assail 
the  lucky  one  with  "  Bress  de  Lawd;  what  ye  done  get?"  The 
experience  with  this  first  installment  showed  that  some  work  must  be 
expended  on  the  clothing  before  distribution,  to  make  it  more  servic- 
able.  As  the  men  were  put  to  work  in  the  ditches,  so  the  women  who 
were  able  to  leave  their  families  were  called  on  for  a  week's  work  each 
in  the  .sewing  tents;  a  sewing  machine  was  borrowed  from  one,  and 
Miss  Mary  Clark  (who  was  put  in  charge)  assorted  the  garments, 
giving  to  some  patching  to  do,  to  others  buttons  to  sew  on,  to  others 
apparently  useless  garments  to  make  into  children's  clothing.  When 
all  got  steadily  to  work,  one  would  commence  a  patter  song,  the  rest 
would  quickly  join  in,  and,  to  the  accompanying  rattle  of  the  sewing 
machine,  work  and  music  blended.  To  hear  them  sing,  one  would 
hardly  think  they  had  just  pas.sed  through  a  great  calamity;  but  it  was 
the  calm  which  follows  the  storm — they  knew  their  troubles  were  over, 
and  they  were  going  to  get  "  kiverin  "  for  the  "  chilluns."  How  they 
worked!  Garment  after  garment  w^as  quickly  mended,  examined  by 
Miss  Clark  for  faults,  and  then  placed  in  its  proper  barrel,  ready  for 
giving  away.     When  all  the  clothing  had  been  repaired,  the    list  of 


THE  SEA   ISLANDS  HURRICANE.  221 

needy  ones  was  examined,  and,  as  before,  the  most.needy  told  to  come 
the  next  day.  But  the  "  most  needy"  generally  included  half  the 
island,  for  telegrams  never  flew  faster  than  did  the  news  that  clothes 
were  going  to  be  issued.  Then,  when  the  last  garment  had  been 
issued,  some  happy,  some  dejected,  they  would  go  away  to  await  the 
next  issue.  So  week  by  week,  a  constant  stream  of  barrels,  boxes  and 
bundles  would  be  received,  mended  and  given  away  to  those  who,  many 
of  them,  hardly  knew  what  a  whole  garment  was.  Occasionally  one, 
more  crafty  than  tlie  rest,  would  try  to  excite  extra  sympathy  by  pro- 
ducing a  goodly  array  of  "  motherless  chilluns,"  borrowed  for  the 
occasion,  in  the  hope  of  getting  an  extra  supply,  not  knowing  that  we 
already  knew  the  full  number  and  ages  of  each  family.  The  system 
adopted  by  the  Red  Cross  of  first  quietly  getting  its  information  com- 
plete, and  then  going  to  work,  k.iovving  what  to  do  and  how  to  do  it, 
showed  its  value  in  preventing  imposition,  which  must  always  be  met 
with  to  some  extent,  in  all  charitable  work.  In  this  way  3,400  gar- 
ments were  repaired  and  given  away  in  this  district,  besides  shoes, 
hats,  etc. 

While  the  sewing  was  in  progress  in  one  tent,  I  helped  attend  the 
cases  in  the  hospital  tents,  and  made  daily  calls  when  necessary  on 
patients  who  were  unable  to  come  to  me.  My  experience  in  Hahne- 
mann Hospital,  Chicago,  fitted  me  for  this  part  of  the  work.  In  all  this 
work  the  lack  of  suitable  supplies  had  to  be  overcome.  As  soon  as  our 
busiest  season  had  passed  and  the  sickness  had  abated,  I  opened  a  free 
school  in  one  room  of  our  house,  expecting  to  teach  reading,  writing 
and  arithmetic  to  ten  pupils.  The  attendance  rose  almost  immediately 
to  forty  and  we  gave  up  another  room  to  the  use  of  the  school,  and  I 
had  one  of  the  older  pupils  assist  me  with  the  younger  ones.  To 
Mr.  Proudfit,  of  Morristown,  N.  J.,  are  due  our  thanks  for  his  generous 
contributions,  enabling  us  to  purchase  slates,  books  and  other  school, 
supplies. 


222  THE   RED   CROSS. 


WAREHOUSE  AND  SHIPPING  DEPARTMENT. 

In  introducing  the  dual  reports  of  Dr.  E.  W.  Egan,  I  imagine  that 
I  realize  sonietliing  of  the  feeling  of  the  Queen  of  Sheba  wlien  she 
proclaimed  that  the  half  had  not  been  told.  The  practical,  unswerving 
and  unique  method  of  procedure  pursued  by  Dr.  Egan  with  these 
thousands  of  ignorant,  hungry  wards  and  waifs  would  constitute  an 
interesting  study  for  the  most  advanced  philanthropist.  The  problem, 
as  he  tersely  states  it,  of  how  to  make  thirty  thousand  dollars  feed  and 
shelter  thirty  thousand  people  a  year,  was  not  easily  solved;  and  yet, 
largely  under  his  original  calculation  and  undeviating  faithfulness  to 
his  own  plans,  it  was  solved,  and  how  successfully,  all  the  years  from 
that  time  to  this  have  testified.  The  medical  aid  which  he  established 
among  these  poor,  deluded  sufferers  was  as  if  an  advanced  clinic  from 
his  Alma  Mater ^  Jefferson  College,  or  the  University  of  Pennsylvania, 
had  been  suddenly  opened  in  their  midst.  The  old  dislocated  joints, 
broken  bones,  tumors,  internal  diseases,  carried  about  and  dragged  en 
through  3-ears  of  pain,  disappeared;  they  literally  took  up  their  beds 
and  walked.  Their  faithful  hearts,  like  their  eyes,  followed  him  in 
admiring  confidence,  as  with  hurried  step  and  quick  glance  he  passed 
among  the  distributers  of  the  warehouse;  and  if  he  told  them  that  a 
pound  of  meat  and  a  peck  of  grits  was  enough  for  a  week — all  they 
could  have  and  must  be  supplemented  either  by  work,  if  obtainable,  or 
fish  or  game,  if  it  could  be  caught — there  was  no  complaint,  no  demur: 
"The  doctor  said  so,  and  it  was  all  right." 

It  is  a  comfort  to  me  as  I  write  to  know  that  his  skillful  hand  is 
now  on  the  keys  that  have  for  such  weary  months  locked  in  the  untold 
agonies  of  the  terrible  dens  in  western  Cuba,  designated,  for  the  lack 
of  some  more  appropriate  term,  as  "  hospitals." 


Report  by  E.  Winfield  Egan,  M.  D. 

The  first  official  word  of  the  Port  Royal  Relief  Field,  ambiguously 
called  the  Sea  Island  Relief  Field,  came  to  Dr.  J.  B.  Hubbell,  the 
general  field  agent  of  the  American  National  Red  Cross,  with  whom 
it  was  my  privilege  to  be  at  Indianapolis,  attending  the  annual  reunion 
of  the  Grand  Army,  where,   for  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  that 


THE  SEA    ISLANDS    HURRICANE.  223 

organization,  the  Red  Cross  of  Geneva  took  its  place  upon  the  arms  of 
the  surgeons,  tlie  ambulances  and  the  tents  which  were  regularly  dis- 
tributed along  the  line  of  march.  Twenty-four  hours  found  us  en  route 
to  Beaufort,  S.  C,  which  was  to  be  the  headquarters  of  the  American 
National  Red  Cross,  through  its  year  of  effort  to  take  care  of  30,000 
human  beings  living  upon  the  islands,  known  as  the  "  Sea  Island  "  or 
Old  Port  Royal  group,  as  they  were  called  during  the  war,  lying  off 
the  coast  of  South  Carolina,  between  Charleston  and  Savannah,  and 
which  had  been  devastated  by  that  memorable  cyclone  of  August  27, 
1893. 

I  reported  to  the  president,  at  headquarters,  for  duty  the  twenty- 
eighth  day  of  September,  1893.  Upon  arrival  I  found  the  president 
and  field  secretary  quartered  in  an  unused  club  house,  using  parts  of 
billiard  tables  for  dining  purposes,  desks  made  of  dry  goods  boxes, 
crude  furniture  made  in  a  day  and  nicely  upholstered  with  manila 
paper — in  short,  it  was  camping  out  indoors. 

The  local  relief  committee  was  still  in  charge.  Miss  Barton  and 
her  staff  meeting  with  them  by  invitation  as  an  advisory  board. 

The  Red  Cross  headquarters  was  the  scene  of  busy  census  takers; 
men  from  every  part  of  the  field  were  constantly  coming  and  going, 
bringing  reports  of  the  number  of  people,  their  condition,  the  condition 
of  their  homes  and  their  needs. 

Their  reports  were  being  carefully  indexed  and  entered  upon  one 
great  book  for  future  reference,  a  record  of  the  greatest  relief  field 
America  has  ever  known. 

October  2,  came  my  "marching  orders"  which  were,  "Take 
charge  of  the  warehouse  and  stores,  make  an  inventory  of  them, 
disperse  these  men  and  rid  this  city  of  the  demoralizing  influence  of 
idle  people."  The  doors  were  closed  and  preparations  for  an  inventory 
begun. 

The  manner  of  distribution  previous  to  November  2,  though 
performed  by  willing  workers,  was  not,  could  not  be,  that  systematic 
distribution  which  comes  only  after  years  of  experience. 

The  warehouse  had  to  be  cleaned,  partitioned,  shelved  and  made 
ready  for  the  repacking,  separating  heavy  from  light  goods,  and 
getting  ready  for  receiving  and  shipping.  The  inventory  showed  not 
enough  food  to  keep  ten  families  two  weeks. 

On  November  9,  the  doors  of  all  the  departments  at  headquarters 
were  opened.  The  question  of  remuneration  for  workmen's  services 
must   be  determined    uj^on  and  a  standard  adopted      There  were  at 


224  THE   RED   CROSS. 

headquarters  twenty-five  workmen  in-doors — white  and  colored — beside 
the  cartnacn  and  out-door  laborers. 

A  standard  of  fifty  cents  in  value  was  adopted  for  a  day's  work 
and  was  given  in  flour,  meal,  grits,  pork,  or  whatever  there  was  in  the 
storeroom  at  the  end  of  each  day,  and  the  next  day  an  entirely  new 
set  of  men  was  employed,  and  this  daily  change  lasted  over  a  month, 
thus  distributing  to  over  a  thousand  people  something  beside  the 
regular  tveekly  distribution. 

Women  were  engaged  to  sew  sacks  and  other  light  work  (just  as 
necessary  as  heavier),  and  they  were  paid  in  the  same  manner  and  at 
the  same  rate  as  men.  Will  some  of  my  readers  think  that  these 
women,  some  with  large  families  to  support,  and  all  having  some  one 
depending  upon  them,  should  receive  less  than  the  men,  because  they 
were  women  ? 

Shovels,  spades  and  axes  came  in  a  few  days  in  response  to  an 
order  from  our  president,  and  men  were  put  upon  the  public  roads  to 
clear  and  improve  their  condition  and  repair  the  damage  which  the 
storm  had  done. 

The  tools  were  all  marked  before  they  left  headquarters  with  a 
Greek  cross — on  the  steel  or  iron  part  they  were  stamped  with  a  steel 
die  and  the  wood  handles  were  burned  with  an  iron  die. 

This  marking  served  many  purposes.  There  was  an  indescribable 
respect  for  the  Red  Cross  among  the  people  it  served  and  its  insignia 
was  its  representative  which  meant  a  great  deal  for  them. 

It  removed  a  temptation;  they  were  instructed  that  those  imple- 
ments were  only  loaned  and  must  not  see  idle  days,  and  were  to  be 
passed  on  to  the  next  workmen  when  their  labors  were  finished.  The 
marking  made  them  undesirable  propert}'  and  none  were  lost,  though 
hundreds  were  at  work  all  the  time.  Mau}'^  were  broken,  and  the 
pieces  were  returned  to  headquarters,  mended  and  put  into  circulation 
again. 

Other  sets  of  workmen  were  those  who  opened  old  drains  and 
made  new  ones  through  the  low  farming  portions  of  the  islands.  These 
men  generally  worked  one  week  in  relays  of  twelve.  (A  more  detailed 
account  of  these  drains  will  be  found  in  the  general  field  agent's 
report. )  Six  months  later,  when  the  high  water  came,  a  few  who  had 
refused  to  go  into  these  relays  of  workmen  and  open  the  drains,  lost 
much  of  their  crop — could  a  rebuke  have  been  more  eloquent  ? 

All  the  workmen  were  paid  from  headquarters  through  their  over- 
seer, who  received  the  clothing,  grits  and  meat,  and  proportioned  it  to 


THE  SEA   ISI.ANDS   HURRICANE.  225 

each  man.  In  all  cases  where  a  man  worked,  he  received  the  regular 
weekly  allowance  of  one  peck  of  grits  and  one  pound  of  meat,  in  addi- 
tion to  what  he  received  for  his  work. 

The  spirit  shown  by  these  people,  after  they  had  been  instructed  in 
the  demoralizing  effect  of  free  and  plenteous  distribution,  was  remark- 
able: they  did  not  beg  for  food,  they  asked  for  work,  and  the  Red  Cross 
made  work  for  them. 

The  relief  supply  was  received  at  three  points:  the  railroad  station, 
about  one  and  a  quarter  miles  from  headquarters,  the  steamer  "  Pilot 
Boy,"  bringing  goods  from  Charleston,  and  the  "Alpha,"  bringing  a 
few  goods  from  Savannah.  Freight  wa.*-  brought  to  headquarters  in 
small  carts  drawn  by  horses  or  cattk  ol  any  kind,  and  it  was  always 
an  interesting  sight  to  the  stranger:  the  animals  were  driven  with  a  bit, 
with  ropes  for  harness,  and  in  most  instances  the  bend  of  a  tree  had 
been  sawed  out  and  used  as  saddles,  on  which  were  ropes  or  wire 
holding  up  the  shafts,  with  burlap  or  crudely  made  cushions  to  protect 
the  animal's  back — all  indications  of  the  primitive  condition  of  a  peo- 
ple who  were  to  be  the  wards  of  the  Red  Cross  for  a  year,  but  who 
were  also  to  be  given  an  object  lesson  in  practical  life  which  was  more 
to  them,  more  to  the  country-,  than  the  little  allowance  of  grits  and 
meat  to  which  they  must  add  something  more  to  support  their  families. 
"  They  must  not  eat  the  bread  of  idleness,"  said  our  president.  "  We 
must  not  leave  a  race  of  beggars,  but  teach  them  the  manliness  of  self- 
support,  and  methods  of  self-dependence." 

The  distributing  was  done  through  sub-committee  men,  represent- 
ing anywhere  from  five  people  into  the  hundreds.  They  were  the 
appointees  of  the  local  relief  committee  and  retained  to  the  end  of  the 
field,  with  but  few  exceptions.  They  came  weekly,  tri-monthly  and 
monthly;  those  who  came  thirty  and  forty  miles  in  crude  boats  were 
given  supplies  enough  to  last  a  month,  for  it  was  a  long  and  sometimes 
difficult  journey. 

Each  sub-committee  man  presented  himself  at  headquarters  and 
was  referred,  in  his  turn,  to  the  main  office,  where  an  order  was  issued 
for  whatever  the  notes  of  the  investigating  committee  called  for — grits, 
meat,  nails,  hatchets,  saws,  lumber  and  clothing  the  most  frequent. 

These  orders  were  brought  to  the  shipping  room,  where  they  were 
filled,  marked  with  name  of  sub-committee  man,  his  address  and  a  Red 
Greek  Cross,  the  insignia  which  would  entitle  it  to  protection  and 
many  times  free  transport  to  its  destination.  A  complete  record  of  this 
was  made  in  the  shipping  room. 


226  THE    RED   CROSS. 

A  most  importaut  step  was  the  uniform  issue  to  each  person  on  the 
Red  Cross  books.  How  was  it  to  be  done  ?  What  could  be  done  ?  All 
important  questions  were  as  familiar  to  each  officer  as  his  own  depart- 
ment questions.  The  president  would  call  her  staflF  together  (and 
many  times  it  was  in  the  small  hours  of  the  morning)  and  present  the 
question  for  consideration.  It  was  at  one  of  these  meetings  the  fact 
had  been  presented  that  the  prime  problem  was  *'  How  to  feed  30,000 
people  with  $30,000  for  one  year  ?  "  It  was  evident  that  they  must  be 
provided  with  a  way  to  produce  something  themselves,  and  to  this  end 
all  assistance  was  given. 

One  peck  of  grits  and  one  pound  of  pork  to  a  family  of  seven  for 
one  week  was  the  regular  Red  Cross  supply,  and  this  was  given  to  all 
who  needed  assistance,  and  the  laboring  men  received  one  peck  and  one 
pound  for  their  work. 

The  description  given  us  of  the  negro  on  our  arrival  was  not  flat- 
tering. "  He  cannot  be  trusted!  "  "  He'll  steal  anything  he  can  get!  " 
"  You  can't  make  him  work!  "  and  similar  expressions  came  from  all 
sides.  But  Miss  Barton  had  seen  the  negro  before  and  knew  the  best 
way  to  lift  him  up,  and  her  wnsdom  was  manifest  all  through  that 
field,  as  the  splendid  gardens  (producing  more  than  the  people  could 
eat  or  sell),  the  mended  condition  of  the  clothing,  the  division  of  cot- 
tages into  rooms,  the  carefully  selected,  bottled  and  labeled  seeds  for 
next  3'ear's  planting,  and  the  general  elevation  of  their  habits  proved 
beyond  argument. 

They  were  treated  like  gentlemen  and  they  felt  the  responsibility. 
They  were  trusted  and  told  so,  and  they  lived  up  to  the  trust.  They 
were  shown  the  necessity  of  w^ork,  and  they  worked  like  men  and 
women.  No  race  of  people  could  have  borne  their  affliction  better, 
more  cheerfully  (they  are  pre-eminently  a  cheerful,  happy  people)  and 
with  less  record  of  crime  than  did  these  30,000  people,  the  vast  majority 
of  whom  were  negroes. 

One  important  and  erroneous  impression  among  some  of  the  less 
intelligent  was  that  seeds  were  of  little  account  which  they  raised  in 
their  own  garden,  and  the  proper  procedure  was  to  buy  each  year 
from  the  merchants  "new  and  good  seeds,"  and  that  practice  was 
common. 

One  day  one  of  the  sub-committee  men  brought  in  a  very  large, 
magnificent  onion,  and  with  some  pride  presented  it  as  a  result  of  his 
work,  and  said,  "  Miss  Barton,  if  I  could  git  some  ob  dat  y'ar  seed,  I 
reckon  I  could  raise  onyun  'uough  to  pay  fo  a  critter  nex'  year." 


THE  SEA    ISLANDS    HURRICANE.  227 

"Well,"  said  Miss  Barton,  "do  you  think  you  could  not  raise  seeds 
enough  from  those  onions?  " 

"  Oh,  bress  you,  no  marni.  You  see  dem  ain'  good  what  we  raise; 
we  has  to  buy  de  seed." 

Then  followed  a  long  explanation  and  agricultural  logic  such  as 
Jack  Owen  (for  that  is  his  name)  had  never  heard  before,  and  when 
he  left  he  said:  "  To  tink  dat  I  could'n  know  befo'  dat  a  good  onyun 
mus'  bring  good  seed,  and  dat  good  seed  mus'  bring  good  onyun.  I 
sabe  my  seed  now,  sho. " 

When  he  returned  to  his  plantation,  he  called  his  neighbors 
together  and  gave  them  as  many  of  the  instructive  points  as  he  could 
remember,  and  they  now  plant  seeds  of  their  own  raising  and  have 
established,  in  a  very  crude  way,  an  exchange  of  seeds  from  "up 
country  ' '  and  neighboring  islands. 

An  early  crop  was  of  great  importance  to  the  wards  of  the  Red 
Cross,  and  our  president  began  to  look  around  for  white  potatoes,  know- 
ing their  early  productiveness.  The  merchants  said  the  soil  would  not 
raise  them;  the  negro  would  not  take  care  of  them;  they  did  not 
know  what  they  were,  and  if  they  did  raise  them,  they  would  not 
eat  them. 

Inquiry  showed  them  to  cost  $5.00  per  barrel,  and  was  it  any 
wonder  thej^  did  not  eat  them  ? 

In  the  face  of  all  this  opposition  Miss  Barton  ordered  over  one 
thousand  bushels  of  white  potatoes  for  planting.  These  were  brought 
to  headquarters  and  cut  into  small  pieces  (each  having  an  eye  or  sprout) 
— a  novel  sight,  the  forty  women  cutting  potatoes  for  seed.  These 
were  distributed  from  headquarters  and  from  the  two  Red  Cross  sub- 
stations— Wadmalaw  Island  and  Hilton  Head  Island — representing 
respectively  the  northern  and  southern  end  of  the  district.  It  is  almost- 
needless  to  add  that  tlie  potatoes  were  planted,  from  which  a  fine  crop 
was  raised  and  eaten,  and  the  people  were  grateful. 

Corn  for  planting  was  another  important  distribution;  2200  bushels 
of  corn  were  distributed,  and  a  second  crop  raised  by  many  who  had 
never  asked  mother  earth  for  more  than  one  crop.  There  were  many 
doubts  among  the  people  as  to  the  possibility  of  a  second  crop,  so  a 
second  planting  was  urged  to  get  the  fodder  for  their  cattle,  and  the  full 
corn  in  the  ear  rewarded  their  second  planting. 


228  THE   RED  CROSS. 

MEDICAL   AND   SANITARY   REPORT. 

BY    K.    WINFIKLD    EGAN,    M.  D. 

The  storm  had  left  the  sanitary  condition  of  the  islands  in  a  very 
unhealthy  state,  and  it  became  necessary  to  establish  a  medical  and 
surgical  department  at  headquarters. 

Dr.  Magruder  of  the  United  States  Marine  Hospital  Service  had 
done  very  efficient  work  in  the  vicinity  of  Beaufort,  but  many  of  the 
wells  refilled  with  a  brackish  red-colored  water  and  there  were  many 
cases  of  illness,  two-thirds  of  which  were  fever,  which,  in  the  healthiest 
times,  exists  upon  the  islands. 

It  required  many  emptyings  of  the  wells  to  get  good  water  and 
many  wells  had  to  be  abandoned,  as  good  water  could  not  be  brought 
into  them. 

A  clinic  and  dispensary  was  opened  from  12  till  2  daily,  at  head- 
quarters, and  patients  were  required  to  see  a  local  physician  before 
they  applied  to  the  Red  Cross,  and  if  they  could  not  get  medical  aid  from 
any  other  source  they  were  admitted  and  treated. 

This  precaution  was  taken  to  protect  the  local  physicians,  who 
were  themselves  heavy  losers  by  the  cyclone  and  could  not  afford  to 
do  as  much  as  they  wished  to.  There  were  some  noble-hearted  men 
among  them  who  counted  no  sacrifice  too  great  to  relieve  their  fellow 
beings. 

It  is  always  the  policy  of  the  Red  Cross  to  protect  the  merchants 
and  people  who  have  goods  to  sell,  and  giving  in  the  way  it  does,  it  not 
only  protects,  but  improves  their  business  after  the  first  effects  of  the 
calamity  have  passed  off — say  two  or  three  months  (according  to  the 
field)  and  it  is  conceded  at  every  field  where  the  Red  Cross  has  worked, 
that  it  has  left  the  locality  more  prosperous  than  even  before  its 
calamity. 

The  average  number  of  patients  treated  daily  between  November 
ninth  and  April  2d  at  this  clinic  was  seventy-three.  Nights  were  devoted 
to  seeing  those  patients  who  were  unable  to  leave  their  beds,  and  this 
"  out-patient  "  service  was  only  made  possible  by  the  tireless,  faithful 
and  competent  nurses  who  had  volunteered  their  services  to  the  cause 
of  humanity  and  had  been  assigned  to  the  medical  department  by  Miss 
Barton. 


THE   SEA    IvSI^ANDS   HURRICANE.  229 

Patients  came  from  all  parts  of  the  field,  and  as  there  was  no 
hospital,  they  were  placed  in  families  who  were  on  the  supply  list, 
and  something  additional  given  for  the  care  of  the  sick. 

Sunday  was  given  wholly  to  surgical  cases  and  the  operating 
room  was  often  opened  at  daylight  and  not  closed  till  dark;  operations 
var)-ing  from  a  simple  incised  wound  to  a  laperotomy  were  performed 
and  the  crude  appliances  often  made  the  surgeon  wish  for  a  moderately 
well  equipped  operating  room  in  one  of  our  hospitals. 

It  would  be  difficult  to  write  a  ver}'  clear  medical  history  of  the 
majority  of  cases  from  a  subjective  examination,  and  I  insert  one  as 
an  example  : 

"  I  got  a  lump  in  de  stomach  here,  sir"  (pointing  just  above  the 
pubic  bone),  "  and  he  jump  up  in  de  t'roat  and  den  I  gits  swingness  in 
de  head.  Dat  lump  he  done  gone  all  over  sometime;  I  fine  him  here 
and  den  he  go  way  down  in  de  leg. 

April  2.  A  telegram  from  our  president  (who  was  in  Washing- 
ton, D.  C),  ordered  me  to  the  northern  end  of  the  district,  with  head- 
quarters on  James  Island,  and  on  April  4  the  scarlet  banner  of 
humanity  waved  over  a  hastily  arranged  office  where  for  two  weeks 
from  forty  to  fiftj'  patients  were  seen  every  day,  when  it  became 
evident  the  trouble  was  in  their  drinking  water.  A  tour  of  the  island 
showed  wells  only  twelve  inches  deep  and  draining  the  surface  for  rods 
around.  These  were  curbed,  cleaned,  dug  deeper  and  in  many  instances 
filled  up  and  new  ones  dug.  Three  barrels  w^ere  generally  sunk  for 
curbing. 

This  labor  was  performed  without  a  promise  to  pay,  willingly  and 
well,  and  it  was  not  long  before  the  dail}'  number  of  applicants  for 
medical  aid  on  James  Island  was  reduced  to  ten  or  twelve. 

Medicines  and  surgical  dressings  were  provided  for  the  work  in 
this  district  by  Mr.  E.  M.  Wister,  of  Philadelphia,  Mr.  John  Wright, 
of  Greenfield,  Mass.,  and  others.  These  gentlemen  not  only  con- 
tributed, but  came  personally  to  the  field  to  lend  their  aid,  the  former 
spending  a  week  at  a  time  in  the  Cumbahee  River  district,  in  a  small 
crude  boat,  among  the  unhealthiest  parts  of  the  islands. 

Many  rough  places  were  smoothed  by  Mr.  W.  G.  Hinson,  of 
James  Island,  who  did  much  to  lighten  the  work  of  the  Red  Cross 
representatives  in  his  locality,  and  it  is  always  a  pleasure  to  look  back 
upon  his  efforts  to  help  the  people  in  their  affliction. 

One  of  the  great  evils  existing  upon  the  islands  is  the  charlatanism 
practiced  upon  the  ignorant. 


230  THK    RIU)   CROSS. 

"  Traveling  doctors,"  who  never  saw  a  materia  medica,  infest  the 
country  and  sell  every  imaginable  cure,  as  well  as  cures  which  are  not 
imaginable. 

Removing  lizards,  toads  and  various  other  things  from  various 
parts  of  the  body  is  one  form  and  perhaps  the  highest  type  of  medical 
fraud.  The  "doctor"  will  declare  the  petient  "conjured,"  and  at 
once  contract  to  remove  the  ofifending  spirit,  the  usual  fee  being  five 
dollars;  in  90  per  cent  of  such  cases,  he  takes  a  lien  on  a  cow,  horse, 
or  pig,  and  finally,  by  foreclosure,  gets  the  animal,  for  by  the  present 
unjust  system  of  trial  justices,  almost  any  verdict  may  be  rendered. 

I  was  asked  to  see  a  case  one  evening  which  was  described  to  be  a 
sore  arm.  It  was  four  miles  distant,  but  the  husband  of  the  patient 
had  driven  over  for  me  because  "  de  pain  is  powerful  bad,  sir." 

I  found  the  woman  sitting  in  a  chair,  her  right  arm  resting  on  a 
barrel  that  had  been  rolled  in  for  the  occasion,  an  immense  poultice  of 
bread,  meal,  feathers  and  numerous  other  ingredients  wrapped  around 
the  arm,  the  whole  w^eighing  about  three  pounds.  As  I  lifted  the 
cloth  I  found  a  mass  of  the  ordinary  ground  worms  dead  upon  the 
surface.  With  aery  of  pleasure,  the  couple  said,  "  Dat  'em  !  Dat  'em  ! 
He  tole  us  dat  arm  full  of  worm  and  slio'  'nuf  he  come  out." 

Could  anything  appeal  more  piteously;  could  it  be  more  pathetic? 
Think,  at  our  very  doors  exists  such  barbarity,  while  each  year 
thousands  upon  thousands  of  dollars  go  as  many  miles  to  help  a  people 
far  beyond  some  of  the  people  of  our  own  country. 

I  removed  the  poultice,  washed  the  arm,  and  found  a  compound 
communicated  fracture  of  both  bones  of  the  forearm. 

Who  could  stand  by  such  a  picture  with  an  unmoved  heart  or  an 
unmoistened  eye!  Tell  her  the  error?  No;  only  asked  her  not  to  let 
strangers  treat  her  when  she  was  ill  and  advised  her  to  go  to  some 
doctor  she  knew  in  the  future. 

Dried  green  peas  coated  with  sugar  was  one  of  the  staple  drugs, 
and  others  as  useless,  but  not  as  harmless. 

I  found  there  a  grateful  people.  They  would  bring  eggs,  chickens, 
berries  and  all  kinds  of  gifts,  including  money,  and  when  told  that  the 
Red  Cross  never  recei\'ed  pay  for  its  work,  its  was  hard  for  them  to 
understand;  but  as  weeks  passed,  they  learned  it  and  tried  to  help  each 
other  as  they  had  been  helped.  On  the  first  of  June  the  medical 
distributing  department  of  the  American  National  Red  Cross  was  closed 
and  all  the  officers  were  ordered  to  headquarters,  where  the  field  was 
closed  and  the  president  and  staff  left  for  Charleston,  to  repack  and 


THE   SEA    ISLANDS    HURRICANE.  231 

ship  to  the  northern  district,  June  7,  1894.  Then  came  a  few  weeks  at 
the  Charleston  Headquarters.  Through  the  courtesy  of  Mr.  Kaufman, 
his  long  warehouse  (150  feet  by  40  feet)  was  at  the  disposal  of  the 
Red  Cross  from  the  time  it  received  the  Charleston  Committee  to  the 
close  of  its  field,  with  privilege  of  occupying  it  as  long  as  they  wished. 

Tents  were  pitched  in  this  room  and  Miss  Barton  and  her  staff 
lived  there  until  June  30,  when  the  field  was  officially  closed. 

Miss  Barton  and  her  party  went  to  Washington,  leaving  Dr.  Hub- 
bell,  the  general  field  agent  and  myself. 

Crops  of  vegetables  and  corn,  building  and  ditching  were  in  prog- 
ress and  instruction  was  necessary,  and  this  instruction  was  given  as 
follows  : 

Each  day  we  would  meet  from  fifty  to  three  or  four  hundred  people 
and  give  them  a  good  practical  talk,  with  about  these  headings  for 
notes  : 

"Owe  no  man  anything." 

How  to  keep  out  of  debt. 

Don't  sell  cotton  before  it  is  picke;ti. 

Plant  more  vegetables,  and  why. 

Divide  cottages  into  rooms. 

Don't  mortgage,  which  was  a  continuation  of  the  instruction  given 
daily  from  the  beginning  of  the  field. 

These  talks  were  of  much  help  and  the  islanders  would  drive  miles 
to  get  the  advice  which  they  knew  was  given  unselfishly. 


THI-:    Rlvl)    CROSS. 


RELIEF  METHODS  IN  THE  FIELD. 

However  brilliant  may  be  the  scintillations  lighting  up  the 
descriptions  of  the  worker  who  sees  a  field  for  the  first  or  the  first  few 
times,  it  is  always  to  the  steady-burning  flame  of  the  veteran  of  all  the 
fields  from  the  earliest  to  the  latest,  that  we  look  for  the  steady  light, 
b\'  which  we  shall  see  the  calm  facts,  and  so  far  as  possible,  the 
machinery  that  moves  the  whole. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  Dr.  Hubbell  was  the  agent  of  the  Red 
Cross  in  the  Michigan  fires  of  the  North  in  1881.  We  saw  him  in  the 
snows  of  Russia,  and  now  find  him  at  the  Islands.  The  doctor's 
reports  are  always  an  unknown  quantity.  They  may  be  but  a  few 
sentences;  they  may  be  many  pages,  but  never  too  much.  I  will  ask 
of  him  that  he  give  his  report  independentl3S  and  not  to  me.  The 
various  topics  which  he  will  touch,  render  this  preferable: 


Dr.  HubbeIvIv's  Report. 

On  this  field  there  were  many  first  things  to  be  done.  Among 
these  were  the  feeding  of  the  people,  rebuilding  the  houses,  cleaning 
out  the  wells,  draining  the  land  of  salt  water,  clothing  and  placing  the 
people  in  ways  to  help  themselves;  half  a  million  feet  of  lumber  to  be 
rafted  down  to  accessible  points,  from  the  mills  on  the  rivers  which 
emptied  into  the  waters  of  these  island  inlets.  While  this  was  being 
floated  down,  the  well  men  and  women  were  instructed  in  different 
kinds  of  work:  to  take  care  of  the  helpless,  rebuild  their  homes,  and 
to  provide  shelter  and  food  for  themselves. 

While  the  people  of  these  islands,  in  great  measure,  own  their  little 
tracts  of  land,  they  retain  the  old  plantation  name  for  their  home. 
These  plantations  usually  contain  from  twenty  to  forty  families.  The 
inhabitants  of  each  plantation  were  directed  to  select  a  representative 
from  their  own  number  who  should  be  the  representative  and  commit- 
teeman for  that  plantation,  whose  duty  it  should  be  to  communicate 
with  the  Red  Cross,  receive  and  distribute  supplies  for  his  people,  and 
be  the  director  of  the  various  kinds  of  work  that  should  be  carried  on 
among   his   people.     These   committeemen    from  all   over  the  islands 


THE  SEA   ISr.ANDvS   HURRICANE.  233 

would  come  to  headquarters  to  receive  their  instruction — food,  seeds, 
tools,  clothing,  and  learn  the  methods  of  work. 

These  committeemen  were  received  at  headquarters  by  Miss  Barton 
personally  as  well  as  by  her  officers,  and  careful  explanations  given  to 
them  that  the  supplies  and  the  help  that  we  were  to  give  were  in  no  way 
from  the  government,  as  many  supposed  from  their  memory  of  the  old 
"  Freedmen  Bureau  "  days,  but  that  they  were  the  contributions  very 
largely  of  poor  people  from  over  the  country,  who  themselves  had  little 
to  give,  for  the  times  were  hard,  but  these  had  heard  of  the  pitialjle 
condition  of  the  storm  sufferers,  and  were  willing  and  glad  to  divide 
the  little  they  had  to  help  them  into  their  homes  again.  The  funds  we 
had  in  hand,  they  were  made  to  understand,  were  very  small,  far  less 
than  we  could  wish,  not  likely  to  be  much  increased,  and  we  should 
depend  upon  them  to  help  us  to  use  them  to  the  very  best  advantage, 
and  we  would  do  our  best  in  the  same  way  to  help  them. 

Among  the  early  contributions  were  a  quantity  of  garden  seeds. 
More  were  sent  for,  particularly  of  those  vegetables  that  would  grow 
there  profitably  during  the  late  autumn  and  winter.  It  may  not  be 
generally  known  that  it  was  not  the  custom  of  these  people  to  plant 
anything  but  cotton,  corn,  sweet  potatoes  and  rice.  Hence  they  knew 
almost  nothing  about  the  raising  of  other  field  or  garden  products. 

These  committeemen  were  carefully  instructed  and  directed  how 
to  prepare  the  ground  and  plant  the  various  kinds  of  new  seeds  which 
were  put  up  in  packages  for  families,  which  he  would  take  home  and  in 
turn  instruct  his  people  what  to  do  with  them;  in  this  way  lettuce, 
onions,  and  garden  peas  were  planted,  and  in  a  few  weeks  these 
plantings  began  to  supply  them  with  a  vegetable  food  to  go  along  with 
their  grits  and  meat. 

From  among  those  who  could  handle  tools,  building  comnuttees 
were  formed  whose  duty  it  was  to  repair  and  rebuild  the  houses,  first, 
of  widows  and  the  infirm,  and  afterward,  their  own.  These  com- 
mittees were  furnished  with  nails,  lumber,  and  the  necessary  hardware; 
tools  were  purchased,  marked  with  the  insignia,  and  loaned  until  their 
work  should  be  finished,  when  they  would  be  returned  and  another 
committee  would  take  these  same  tools  and  begin  work  on  another 
plantation. 

At  the  same  time  a  foreman  for  ditchii:g  would  be  elected  from  a 
plantation,  who  would  select  his  force  of  men,  clean  out  the  wells  and 
ditch  the  lands  of  his  plantation,  working  jointly  with  adjoining 
plantations,  so  that  the  ditching  of  one  piece  of  land  should  not  flood 


234  THK    Rl<:i)   CROSS. 

his  neighbor.  Spades,  shovels,  axes,  hoes,  mattocks,  were  furnished 
these  men,  who,  when  their  work  was  finished,  would  return  the  tools 
to  headquarters  for  others  to  take  and  work  with  in  the  same  way. 

Men  acquainted  with  the  building  of  flood  gates,  or  "  trunks,"  as 
they  are  called,  and  dams,  built  and  put  these  in  to  protect  the  open- 
ings of  the  ditches  from  the  incoming  tides. 

Through  their  committees  each  man  was  instructed  to  split  out 
palings  from  the  fallen  timber  and  fence  in  a  large  garden,  so  that  it 
should'be  secure  from  his  chickens  and  pigs.  Nails  and  tools  were 
likewise  furnished  for  this  work,  frows,  crosscut  saws,  axes,  hatchets, 
hammers,  etc. 

As  the  season  advanced,  in  February,  the  planting  time,  seedmen 
of  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  as  well  as  other  cities,  hearing  of  the 
success  of  these  amateur  gardeners  through  the  winter  season,  sent 
generously  from  their  stores,  and  the  Congressmen  of  several  districts 
joined  them  in  directing  the  seeds  in  the  Agricultural  Department 
apportioned  for  their  distribution  to  be  sent  direct  to  the  Red  Cross  for 
the  Sea  Islanders.  Again  these  committeemen,  as  formerly,  were 
called  and  instructed  in  the  manner  of  preparing  the  ground  and  plant- 
ing each  kind  of  seed,  with  instructions  to  communicate  what  he  had 
learned  to  his  neighbors,  as  before.  As  these  peoples  had  never  before 
made  gardens,  even  the  leading  business  men  and  merchants  laughed 
at  the  idea  of  attempting  to  "make  truck  gardeners  out  of  these  peo- 
ple." Notwithstanding  this.  Miss  Barton  bought  nine  hundred 
bushels  of  Early  Rose  potatoes.  Women  were  set  at  work  carefully 
cutting  these  into  one  or  two  eyes  each  for  planting.  This  provision 
also  removed  any  possible  temptation,  with  their  scant  provisions,  to 
use  them  at  once  for  food. 

The  seed  corn,  like  everything  else  in  all  this  vicinity,  had  been 
destroyed  by  the  storm.  Again  Miss  Barton  sent  to  the  Ohio  valley 
for  two  carloads  of  seed  corn.  This  was  distributed  over  the  entire 
storm-swept  section,  and  many  of  these  people  at  harvest  time  said 
that  if  the  storm  had  brought  them  nothing  but  this  new  varietj^  of 
seed  corn,  it  would  have  been  a  blessing,  for  their  crop  was  double 
what  it  had  ever  been  before. 

In  order  to  preserve  the  quality  of  the  famed  "  sea  island  cotton," 
which  is  a  special  variety,  with  long,  silky  fibre,  used  for  making 
thread,  the  furnishing  of  this  seed  was  given  to  the  care  of  the  local 
cotton  merchants,  who  were  directly  interested  in  preserving  its  high 
standard  and  market  value. 


THE  SEA  ISLANDS  HURRICANE.  237 

In  the  feeding  and  ' '  rationing ' '  of  these  people  the}-  were  as 
carefully  instructed  in  the  principles  of  economy  and  care  as  in  other 
lines  of  work.  Where  a  fisherman  could  be  found,  he  was  furnished 
with  a  boat  or  net  to  supply  his  people  with  fish  to  help  out  with  the 
living,  and  this  was  a  great  aid.  The  living  ration  for  a  family  of 
seven  was  half  a  peck  of  grits  a  week  and  a  pound  of  pork,  simply 
as  an  insurance  against  starvation  for  those  not  having  work.  Those 
who  were  at  organized  work  under  a  regular  foreman  received  double 
that  amount,  i.  e. ,  two  pecks  of  grits  or  meal  and  two  pounds  of  pork 
a  week  for  each  man. 

At  all  times  these  people  were  cautioned  about  going  into  debt  for 
any  purpose,  and  so  faithfully  did  they  follow  these  suggestions  that 
when  we  questioned  them  in  their  churches  when  their  corn  was  ready 
to  use,  no  more  than  one  in  thirty  had  contracted  debts  for  food  or 
living  supplies, — a  matter  of  special  interest  in  view  of  the  fact  that  it 
has  always  been  the  custom  of  the  country,  to  go  into  debt  for  food 
supplies  until  the  crop  should  be  ready  for  market.  True,  on  some  of 
these  islands  additional  help  was  received  from  other  sources,  notably 
on  St.  Helena,  Ladies  and  Port  Royal,  through  the  influence  of  some  of 
the  resident  merchants  and  other  friends — local  merchants  rebuilding 
their  stores  and  warehouses  gave  employment  to  some,  shipping  to 
others,  and  later,  a  partial  reopening  of  the  phosphate  industry  brought 
labor  to  others. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  these  people  were  constantly  receiving 
lessons  in  practical  econom}^  and  suggestions  in  improvising  and  turn- 
ing to  best  account  what  they  might  have  at  hand.  The.se  in.structions, 
coming  from  Miss  Barton  direct  made  a  deep  impression  on  the  minds 
of  these  people,  and  they  were  faithfully  followed  up  by  her  repre- 
sentatives, who  had  received  their  lessons  beforehand  in  practical, 
common  sense  econom}'.  I  recall  an  incident.  After  showing  a  number 
of  the  committeemen  through  the  office  and  living  apartments  at  head- 
quarters, where  they  saw  desks,  working  tables,  book  shelves,  wash- 
stands,  wardrobes,  commodes,  all  neatly  covered  with  manila  paper  or 
hung  with  tasty  calico  curtains  or  draperies,  with  neat  and  attractive 
effect — and  then  when  shown  the  constructions  they  were  amazed  to 
find  that  nearly  every  piece  of  furniture  before  them  was  made  from 
various  sizes  of  dry  goods  boxes  (that  are  usually  broken  up  for 
kindlings)  with  shelves  inside  or  on  top,  as  occasion  required.  One 
of  these  committeemen  made  the  practical  remark  that  this  half-hour 
observation  and  instruction  was  worth  just  seventy-five  dollars  to  him, 
14 


23S  THE    RICI)    CROSS. 

for  it  showed  him  how  for  the  present  he  could  save  that  amount  of  debt, 
which  he  considered  necessary  to  make  his  house  furnishing  comfortable 
for  his  family. 

Careful  reports  of  tools  borrowed  and  returned,  of  work  done  each 
week,  as  the  basis  of  additional  food  support,  encouraged  accuracy, 
system  and  responsibility. 

I  hope  it  may  not  prove  too  tedious  if  a  few  average  reports  of 
committees  are  here  given  from  different  sections  of  the  field  and  a 
sample  "  labor  sheet  "  to  more  clearly  show  some  of  the  kinds  of  work 
done,  and  the  character  and  spirit  of  the  people.  The  labor  sheet  is 
intended  to  be  a  record  of  the  tools  given  out  and  returned,  the  number 
of  men  at  work,  the  kind  of  work  done — whether  ditches,  bridges, 
roads,  dams,  repairing  wrecked  houses,  or  building  new  ones,  digging 
wells,  building  chimneys,  fencing  gardens,  splitting  boards  or  shingles, 
etc. ,  and  also  the  record  of  the  condition  as  observed  by  the  visitor  or 
inspector  of  the  work. 

The  following  sample  is  the  work  of  Committeeman  Jackson  Gilli- 
son,  of  Stuart  Point,  Port  Royal  Island,  being  one  of  the  first  who 
began  work: 


Labor  on   Port  Royai.  Island. 

Committee,  Jack  Gillison.  Stuart's  Point,  Place, 

BUILDING   AND  REPAIRING. 


1893 
Dec 


April 
87 


5o 

a  0 

DESCRIPTION. 

Sandj'  Brown's   House 

,   12  X  18, 

Rebuilt. 

12 

Abby  Hamilton's     " 

12  X  15, 

Shalcot  Mack's 

10  X  15, 

" 

Thomas  Devoe's      " 

10  X  15, 

Robert  Marshall's  " 

15  X  15, 

August  Dunkin's     " 

12  X  18, 

" 

Storm  Jackson's      " 

Shingled. 

Sanford  Howard's  " 

All  except  shingles. 

Thomas  Williams'  " 

Tissey  Small's 

Rebuilt. 

Sibby  Robinson's   " 

moved  : 

!oo  feet  on  hill  and  blocked  up 

Alfred  Davis' 

finished  to  the  shingles. 

24 

Dick  Bright" s 

finished  after  frame  has  been  put  up. 

THE  SEA  ISLANDS  HURRICANE. 
Labor  on  Port  Royal  Island — Continued. 


239 


1894 

Feb 
16 


Depth.        Length. 


April 
27 


1  Trunk  (Tide  Gate),  repaired  . 

2  Trunks  (  "       "    ),  made    .   . 


5(x. —  iCjoo  feci  Dikea 
700 


600 

400 
700 
500 
400 
400 
600 
300 
200 
600 
800 
150— S650  Ditches. 


3  Trunks. 


On  Ladies  Island  George  Barnwell,  foreman  for  Eustis  Place  and 
Hazel  Farm,  reports  four  houses  built,  ten  repaired,  87,870  feet  of 
ditching,  fifty  feet  of  dam,  three  miles  of  road  across  the  island,  thirty 
feet  wide,  cleared  up  and  repaired;  this  latter  required  seventy-five 
men  at  work  three  weeks  cutting  out  fallen  trees,  rebuilding  bridges, 
and  filling  in  washed  places.     Barnwell  says,  in  closing  his  report  : 


The  improvement  of  the  land  that  is  redeemed  and  put  in  good  order  for  the 
farmers  on  Kustice  Place,  including  the  houses,  is  worth  about  three  thousand 
dollars.    July  20th,  1894. 


At  that  time  we  endorsed  on  this  report  the  following 


August  4th  we  inspected  this  work  and  found  all  well  done,  but  we  found 
several  buildings  that  Barnwell  had  begun  were  not  mentioned  in  his  report 
because  they  were  not  finished  when  he  made  it  Houses  and  ditches  give 
evidence  of  good  practical  work. 


240  THIv    RKI)    CROSS. 

From  two  plantations  on  St.  Helena's  Island  Rev.  D.  E. 
Washington's  report  shows  32,331  feet  of  ditching,  two  houses  built, 
four  repaired.     The  close  of  his  report  has  this  : 


To  the  Red  Cross  officers:  We,  the  ixiulersigncd  sufferers,  return  a  vote  of 
thanks  to  you  for  the  goodness  you  have  done  for  us  by  giving  us  ditches  to  save 
our  crops.     The  value  to  us  is  |20oo. 

D.  E.  Washington, 
Agent  of  the  Mary  Ann  Chaplin, 
Tom  Fripp  and  Village  Plantations. 


I  find  this  observation  on  the  back  of  this  report,  after  a  visit  to 
look  at  his  work  and  to  speak  to  his  people : 


August  13th,  1894,  went  over  this  vv^ork  in  part.  The  ditches  are  doing  excel- 
lent service  and  have  been  of  great  value  to  the  plantations  during  the  wet  season. 
It  may  be  that  the  width  of  the  ditches  is  hardly  sufficient  in  all  places,  but  the 
condition  of  the  people  is  most  gratifying,  and  the  work  of  Reverend  Washington 
has  been  markedh'  unselfish. 

On  reaching  his  place  we  learned  for  the  first  time  that  his  own  house,  a  large 
plantation  building  of  former  years,  had  been  burned  just  before  the  storm,  and  he 
has  since  been  living  in  his  stable.  This  personal  loss  he  has  never  mentioned  to 
the  Red  Cross  people,  although  his  duties  as  committeeman  brought  him  in  con- 
tact with  them  every  week  for  nearly  a  year. 


From  the  mainland  Rev.  "Wade  Hampton,  in  returning  his  tools, 
after  making  nearly  one  mile  of  canal  and  ditches,  and  330  feet  of 
causeway,  says  : 


We,  the  committee  on  said  places  (Chaplin,  Fripp,  Toomer,  and  Tom 
Rhodes),  return  our  sincere  thanks  to  you  for  the  rations  and  the  tools  to  work 
with,  for  it  was  just  the  same  as  if  you  had  given  us  a  hundred  dollars  apiece. 
This  is  to  the  Red  Cross,  by  your  committee.     Most  respectfully, 

Wade  Hampton, 
Agent  Chaplin  Plantation. 


From  another  section  of  the  mainland,  William  Grant,  of 
Pocotaligo,  reports  nearly  two  miles  of  canal  eight  feet  wide,  and  about 
the  same  amount  of  ditches,  and  the  building  of  four  houses. 


l^HE  vSEA  ISLANDS   MURRlCAN^.  241 

jack  Snipe,  a  young  man,  almost  a  boy,  after  building  5  chimneys, 
getting  out  over  4000  shingles  and  clapboards,  and  repairing  1 1  houses, 
began  and  made  2000  feet  of  ditches,  and  we  find  this  endorsement  on 
his  paper.  "July  27,  I  went  over  part  of  Jack  Snipe's  work  to-day. 
H-  was  a  hard  working,  conscientious  man,  but  not  very  strong  physi- 
cally. After  his  work  of  building  and  repairing  as  the  leader  of  his 
luj.i,  he  took  charge  of  the  ditching;  got  sick  from  working  in  the 
water,  and  died  soon  after.  Mrs.  Barker,  one  of  our  volunteer  trained 
nurses,  worked  faithfully  during  all  his  illness  to  save  him,  but  in 
vain." 

Ben  Watkins,  on  Baker  Place,  shows  19,562  feet  of  ditches,  i 
house  built,  2  repaired,  3  large  gardens  fenced,  7  wells  dug.  July 
24,  1894,  inspected  this  work,  both  buildings  and  ditches,  and  found 
the  work  well  done,  the  ditches  being  new  and  important,  carrying  the 
water  from  three  large  ponds.  One  main  ditch  is  from  four  to  .seven  feet 
deep,  equally  wide  at  the  top.  The  crops  are  in  excellent  and  promis- 
ing condition,  and  Watkins'  work  is  more  than  he  has  claimed  for  it, 
besides  being  practical  and  well  done.  The  Gregorys  and  Browns  on 
Baker  Place  have  attractive  homes,  neat  and  orderl}^  with  appearances 
of  thrift  and  industry." 

These  quotations  taken  at  random  from  a  list  of  a  hundred  reports 
serve  to  give  an  idea  of  the  kind  and  quality  of  the  work  done  over 
the  entire  field,  as  well  done  in  one  district  as  another  from  Charleston 
to  Savannah,  a  distance  of  150  miles,  including  a  large  area  of  the 
mainland  as  well. 

While  these  people  are  in  large  measure  cut  off  from  the  advantages 
that  come  from  travel  and  contact  with  the  outside  world,  they  have  a 
peculiar  style  of  expression,  and  a  musical  sweetness  of  voice  that  is 
unusually  attractive.  They  are  of  different  origin  and  type  from  the 
Virginia  or  "upland  people;"  many  are  good  scholars,  due  largely  to 
the  schools  of  Miss  Batoum  and  Miss  Murray  on  St.  Helena,  and  others 
established  soon  after  the  war.  Nearly  all  read  and  write.  Still,  there 
are  some  that  retain  the  old-time  style  of  expression,  as  in  the  follow- 
ing: "  W^e's  de  bes  garden  I  eber  seen  sence  I  was  a  man  grown." 
"  All  de  .squash,'  de  tomaty  and  de  watermillion  seed  gone  died,  but  de 
Lo'd's  will  must  be  done." 

"  All  de  house  (houses)  is  done  ractified."  "  I  couldn't  tell  a  lie, 
for  I 'z  deacon  in  de  chuch.  I  has  to  be  respectable."  Another  says: 
"  I'v  ]yen  dar  from  de  fust  upstartment,  and  dar  ain't  ben  de  fust  rag 
gin  to  dose  people." 


242  THK    RlvD    CROSS. 

Another:  A  man  who  had  seen  the  Red  Cross  staff  getting  on  the 
boat  to  go  to  Charleston  said:  "I  tell  you,  doctor,  when  I  see  Miss 
Barton  gettin'  on  the  boat  to  go  away  I  }ust  /eli  so,  my  eyes  couldn't 
help  leakin'  water,  for  you  all  have  saved  us  people." 

After  the  general  relief  had  closed,  and  the  body  of  the  Red  Cross 
staff  had  left,  Dr.  Egan  remained  with  me  to  help  finish  the  distribu- 
tion of  a  renuiant  of  supplies  and  tools  that  could  be  kept  in  use,  and  to 
encourage  the  continuance  of  the  general  improvements  so  well  begun. 
Considerable  attention  was  given  to  visiting  the  work,  and  the  people 
on  the  different  islands  in  their  churches,  where  practical  suggestions 
were  made  on  the  line  of  the  instructions  they  had  received  from  head- 
quarters at  first.  These  talks  were  always  preceded  by  an  inspection 
of  the  fields,  gardens,  buildings  and  work  which  had  been  done  on  the 
place,  for  the  purpose  of  better  judging  what  kind  of  suggestions  would 
be  of  most  profit  to  the  people;  but  the  subjects  usually  taken  up  would 
be  headlined  thus: 

Prosperity. 

Keep  out  of  debt.  Debt  is  a  burden  and  a  hindrance  to  prosperity, 
the  cause  of  much  trouble  and  bad  feeling.      "  Owe  no  man  anything." 

How  to  keep  out  of  debt.  Keep  the  garden  producing  something 
to  live  on  the  entire  year.     The  climate  here  will  allow  this  to  be  done. 

Then  a  list  of  vegetables  suitable  for  the  soil  and  the  climate  that 
experience  has  shown  can  be  raised  with  success. 

On  the  farm  keep  some  kind  of  profitable  crop  growing  the  entire 
year,  both  for  profit  and  for  feed  for  the  stock.  Follow  the  regular  corn 
crop  with  a  second  one  for  fodder,  or  with  some  of  the  root  crops,  as 
turnips,  beets,  rutabagas,  cabbage  or  collards. 

Plant  such  things  as  the  fowls  will  injure  inside  the  garden  fence. 

Fruits;  figs  and  grapes  grow  from  cuttings,  and  are  easily  raised, 
if  only  protected  from  the  pigs,  the  goats,  or  the  cattle.  Pears,  peaches, 
apples,  oranges,  pomegranates,  pecans,  walnuts,  grow  with  a  little  care. 
(Fine  samples  of  vegetables  and  fruits  raised  on  the  islands,  often  by 
their  own  people,  were  shown  in  evidence. ) 

L,et  each  one  raise  and  preserve  his  own  meat,  or  have  a  neighbor 
who  has  been  successful,  put  it  up  for  him  until  he  learns  how  for 
himself.  This  point  was  particularly  made,  because  the  general  custom 
of  the  country  is  to  sell  hogs  for  three  or  four  cents  a  pound  and  pay 
twelve  to  sixteen  cents  a  pound  for  pork. 


THE  SKA    LSLANDS    HURRICANE.  243 

Homes: — Make  them  neat,  light,  attractive;  have  trees,  flowers 
and  the  simple  conveniences,  any  and  all  of  which  can  be  had  by  a  little 
thought,  labor  and  interest. 

In  the  line  of  health,  use  less  pork,  more  vegetables,  fruit,  milk, 
eggs,  and  pure  water.  Good  wells  are  necessary,  ditches  are  necessary 
for  health  as  well  as  for  agricultural  development.  If  all  the  planta- 
tions are  well  drained,  it  will  in  large  measure  banish  fevers  from  the 
islands. 

Observe  among  your  people  which  one  succeeds  best  in  any  under- 
taking, whether  it  is  in  the  raising  of  a  particular  kind  of  crop,  or  the 
saving  of  it,  the  successful  curing  of  his  meat,  the  raising  of  fruit,  the 
breeding  of  good  stock,  or  having  attractive  home — go  to  thai  one  for 
that  particular  kind  of  information  or  instruction  that  you  want. 
Strive  to  improve  the  moral  standing,  which  is  necessary  for  physical 
as  well  as  social  advancement. 

No  one  who  has  been  with  these  people,  worked  with  them  as  we 
have,  but  must  be  pleased  to  observe  their  gratitude,  their  gentle  man- 
ner of  expressing  it,  their  desire  to  improve  and  their  attention  to 
instruction  or  suggestion,  their  cheerful  disposition  and  their  faith  in 
God  and  the  Red  Cross. 


244  THE   RED   CROSS. 


ON  THH  CHARLHSTON  (iROHP. 

Among  those  who  lived  the  storm  and  later  brought  their  experience 
and  quickened  sympathy  to  us  for  such  help  as  they  could  give  to  their 
still  suffering  companions  in  danger  and  woe,  was  our  tireless  and 
faithful  assistant,  Mr.  H.  L.  Bailey,  of  Charleston. 

It  has  never  been  my  good  fortune  to  find  one  who — entirely  new 
to  the  work  and  to  its  conception — has  grasped  more  readily  the  field 
of  labor  presented  to  him.  The  success  attending  his  work  and  the 
satisfaction  attested  by  his  beneficiaries  are  rich  stores  of  memory  for  a 
lifetime.     The  Red  Cross  could  not  have  asked  for  better  service. 


Report  of  Mr.  H.  L.  Bailey. 

In  order  to  make  the  following  narrative  more  complete  I  deem  it 
not  amiss  to  preface  it  with  a  short  account  of  my  own  experience  in 
the  great  Cyclone  of  1893,  and  a  few  incidents  relating  thereto. 

In  August,  1893,  I  was  doing  business  on  that  part  of  Edisto 
Island,  known  as  "  Little  Edisto,"  and  spending  the  nights  at  a  small 
place  "just across  the  creek"  called  "  Brick  House,"  said  place  taking 
its  name  from  an  old  and  substantial  brick  house  which  had  been  built 
on  that  spot,  at  a  time  ante-dating  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  much 
honored  in  that  locality  on  account  of  its  antiquity  and  the  good  mate- 
rial of  which  it  was  built,  the  bricks,  etc.,  having  been  imported  from 
Holland. 

On  Saturday  morning,  August  30th,  I  went  to  m}^  business  on 
"Eittle  Edisto"  as  usual,  and  on  arriving  I  remarked  to  Mr.  Whaley 
(my  employer)  how  promising  the  crops  were  looking,  and  the  bright 
prospects  of  a  fine  harvest.  His  answer  was  "  Yes;  but  I  am  afraid  a 
storm  is  brewing,  and  one  of  unusual  severity,  too,  because  the  signs 
of  the  last  few  days  have  been  ominous  of  such,  and  I  feel  very  uneasy." 
I,  being  young  and  skeptical,  of  course  took  no  heed  of  his  prophetic 
words,  and  alas,  only  a  few  hours  more  convinced  me  that  something 
of  unusual  magnitude  was  upon  us.  I  retired  that  night,  and  on 
awaking  next  morning  (Sunday)  took  breakfast,  and  parted  from  Mr. 
W.  to  spend  the  day  at  "  Brick  House,"  promising  him  to  return  that 


THE   SKA    ISLANDS    HURRICANE.  245 

evening  and  remain  all  night.  But  circumstances  intervened  (which 
prevented  nie  from  doing  so  for  several  days  later)  so  appalling  that 
even  as  I  write  them  now,  a  cold  shudder  conies  over  me,  and  all  the 
horrors  of  that  awful  time  come  back. 

Sunday  morning  dawned  dull  and  hazy  with  a  stiff  breeze  blowing 
from  the  east  and  in  crossing  the  creek,  I  remarked  to  my  companion 
that  we  would  have  bad  weather,  and  on  reaching  ' '  Brick  House  ' '  we  all 
began  speculating  on  the  approaching  storm  (no  one  ever  dreaming 
such  a  storm  was  coming),  etc.,  etc.,  and  so  the  day  wore  on,  the  wind 
rising  higher  and  higher  every  moment,  and  towards  afternoon  the 
trees  began  to  bend  and  sway  in  a  terrible  manner,  branches  and  limbs 
flying  in  all  directions.  By  sunset  we  were  all  thoroughly  alarmed 
and  moved  over  to  the  previously  mentioned  "  Brick  House,"  deeming 
that  the  safest  place  to  pass  the  night,  and  in  a  few  hours'  time  the 
whole  population  of  the  village  was  gathered  under  its  protecting  roof, 
all  feeling  thankful  a  safe  shelter  was  provided  for  us.  How  we  passed 
that  night  of  terror,  only  God  knows,  for  the  winds  blew,  the  rain  fell, 
and  the  tide  rose,  until  towards  midnight  it  seemed  as  if  everything  was 
lost;  but  the  old  house  stood  and  carried  lis  through  until  dawn  of 
another  day,  and  then  what  a  sight  met  our  anxious  eyes.  What  had 
been  a  smiling  pretty  village,  was  nothing  but  a  pile  of  wreckage  and 
a  mass  of  ruins,  some  houses  having  been  washed  away  completely, 
and  those  that  remained,  so  badly  damaged  as  to  be  uninhabitable.  To 
make  matters  worse  even  our  food  had  been  swept  away,  and  there  we 
were,  cut  off  from  the  island  on  this  point  of  land,  wrecked,  desolate 
and  hungry,  some  of  us  with  only  the  clothing  on  our  backs,  all  the 
balance  gone;  and  as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach  there  was  nothing  to 
see  but  water,  and  those  spots  from  which  the  tide  had  receded,  covered 
with  portions  of  houses,  trunks  of  clothing  broken  open  and  scattered, 
drowned  poultry,  and  every  crop  ruined  and  prostrated.  After  a  little 
while  we  found  some  grist  that  had  been  saved  by  a  colored  man,  and 
cooking  this  with  some  saltwater  and  "drowned"  chicken,  we  sub- 
sisted till  evening,  when  help  came  in  the  shape  of  water  and  food. 

By  Wednesday  I  returned  to  "  Little  Edisto  "  and  Mr.  Whaley, 
who  I  had  been  so  anxious  about  during  the  storm.  I  found  the 
brave  old  man  "holding  the  fort,"  and  tr>'ing  to  save,  by  drying  out, 
etc.,  what  the  storm  had  left;  but  oh!  how  different  everything  looked. 
What  had  been  of  so  much  promise  and  beauty  had  been  literally 
swept  from  the  face  of  the  earth,  nothing  remaining  but  ruin,  desolation 
and  death  for  those  whose  all  had  been  taken  from   them  if  help  did 


246  THK    RIvD   CROSS. 

not  conic  quickly.  It  is  hard  for  those  who  were  not  there  to  realize 
such  a  condition  of  things;  but  just  imagine  a  whole  island  completely 
covered  with  water  (and  a  raging  sea,  at  that)  from  three  to  six  feet  in 
depth.  Can  you  wonder  that  so  many  poor  creatures  were  drowned 
or  that  anything  was  saved  at  all  ? 

Fortunately  Mr.  Whaley  had  saved  some  provisions  which  were 
stored  in  his  house  out  of  the  reach  of  the  tide,  and  gathering  up  all 
else  we  could  find,  we  began  issuing  food  to  the  poor  hungry  negroes 
around  us,  who  had  been  entirely  bereft  of  their  all.  And  there  I 
stayed  on  that  little  island  for  some  time  after  the  cyclone,  giving  out 
each  day  of  our  own  little  store,  food,  medicine  and  comfort  to  those 
who  came,  trusting  that  when  that  supply  was  exhausted,  other  means 
would  be  provided  to  carry  on  the  good  work,  thus  so  nobly  begun; 
for  it  must  be  understood  that  those  who  had,  freely  gave  to  those  who 
had  not,  and  the  men  of  that  section  worked  hand  to  hand  and  heart 
to  heart  to  help  those  of  their  colored  brethren,  who  otherwise  must 
have  died  of  hunger,  sickness  and  exposure. 

Such  then,  was  the  condition  of  affairs  when  news  was  received 
that  the  Red  Cross  would  take  the  field,  and  a  sigh  of  relief,  and  a 
prayer  to  God  went  up  from  thousands  of  homeless,  hungry,  helpless 
and  demoralized  people,  who  had  gone  through  so  much,  it  seemed  a 
miracle  they  were  still  alive.  I  then  went  to  Charleston  and  immedi- 
ately wrote  to  Miss  Barton  offering  her  my  services,  telling  her  of  my 
knowledge  of  the  people  and  the  islands,  and  how  glad  I  would  be  to 
help  her  in  any  way  to  relieve  the  necessities  of  the  thousands  that  were 
begging  for  help.  My  oifer  was  accepted;  a  telegram  summoning  me 
lo  Beaufort,  the  Red  Cross  Headquarters,  and  there  I  made  the 
acquaintance  of  the  noble  lady  who  had  come  to  our  stricken  people 
with  her  valued  corps  of  assistants,  to  perform  a  task  that  was  gigantic 
in  its  contemplation. 

I  was  retained  by  Miss  Barton  in  Beaufort  three  weeks,  and  by 
practical  teaching  was  soon  able  to  grasp  intelligently  the  true  intents 
and  purposes  of  the  Red  Cross,  and  able  then  to  undertake  any  duty 
assigned  me.  I  was  then  sent  to  take  charge  of  the  district  composed 
of  Edisto,  Wadmalaw,  John's  and  Kiawah  Islands,  the  first  three 
named  being  very  large  islands,  with  a  combined  population  of  nearly 
10,000  souls. 

Kiawah  being  directly  on  the  sea  was  almost  entirely  submerged 
by  tidewater,  and  on  the  other  islands,  those  portions  which  were 
directly  exposed  to  the  sea  and  the.  tributary  streams  suffered  in  like 


THE   SEA   ISI.ANDS   HURRICANE.  247 

manner.  Cotton,  the  main  dependence  of  the  people,  was  ahnost 
totally  destroyed,  and  only  in  some  localities  were  any  potatoes  and 
corn  saved,  and  these  badly  damaged,  I  found  viany  people  hungry, 
destitute,  without  suitable  habitation  or  sufficient  clothing  and  badly 
demoralized.  Such,  then,  was  the  condition  of  things  when  I  took 
charge,  and  how  to  meet  the  various  proljlems  that  arose,  and  to  cover 
this  territory  in  the  most  intelligent  and  speedy  way  of  course  became 
my  first  object.  After  planning  a  little  I  soon  arrived  at  a  happy  solu- 
tion, and  proceeded  to  organize  the  territory  into  working  condition. 

Rockville,  on  Wadmalaw  Island,  had  been  selected  as  the  most 
central  point  to  work  from,  and  making  this  my  headquarters  and  basis 
of  supplies,  I  secured  a  house  and  was  soon  comfortably  fixed,  with 
sufficient  supplies  on  hand  to  meet  the  immediate  wants  of  the  people. 
To  reach  all  these  people  quickly  and  often  was  the  next  point  to  be 
settled  (scattered  as  they  were  over  an  area  of  vast  dimensions,  divided 
in  many  places  by  streams,  at  times  dangerous  to  navigate).  This 
difficulty  was  overcome  by  thoroughly  canvassing  each  island,  and 
establishing  one  or  more  sub-stations  at  the  most  central  location,  and 
from  these  stations  I  would  each  week  make  my  distribution  of  rations, 
receive  reports,  arrange  work  for  the  coming  week  and  transact  other 
business.  All  this  time  petitions  of  various  kinds  had  been  coming  in, 
and  my  time  was  fully  occupied  in  seeking  out  those  who  were  in  imme- 
diate want,  among  the  old  people  and  children  especially,  and  I  soon 
got  that  settled  sufficiently  to  give  me  a  chance  to  start  all  able-bodied 
men,  that  needed  help,  in  ditching,  house-building,  bridge-building 
and  any  other  work  I  could  find  that  would  benefit  the  general  com- 
munity; and  soon  I  had  large  forces  at  work  on  each  island.  A  school 
for  children  was  established  at  Rockville,  which  was  successfully  con- 
ducted for  some  time,  and  a  wharf  built,  which  is  as  unique  as  it  is 
substantial,  having  been  built  by  native  workmen  with  raw  materials 
cut  and  hewn  out  of  the  woods,  the  piles  being  driven  by  a  pile  driver 
of  our  own  construction.  This  wharf  stands  to-day,  a  monument  of 
strength  and  an  object  lesson  to  those  who  were  doubtful  of  its  com- 
pletion. On  the  several  islands  much  good  work  was  done;  new  dams 
being  thrown  up;  bridges  rebuilt  and  abandoned  lands  reclaimed.  I 
occupied  this  field  for  over  eight  months,  and  during  that  time  visited 
every  district  one  day  of  each  week  and  personally  distributed  all 
rations  given  out,  thus  being  certain  that  nothing  was  misappropriated. 
From  Monday  until  Saturday  I  would  travel  by  team  and  boat,  on  an 
average  of  twenty  miles  a  day,  never  allowing  rain,  wind  or  anything 


24S  THK    RED   CROvSS. 

else  to  keep  nie  from  going,  as  some  of  these  poor  people  had  to  walk 
miles  to  reach  the  point  of  distribution,  and  I  could  not  disappoint 
them  and  cause  them  to  go  back  empty  handed.  The  distribution  of 
seeds,  as  they  came  in  season,  was  started  from  the  beginning,  and  soon 
gardens  of  various  dimensions  began  to  spring  up  in  all  directions,  thus 
making  another  valuable  food  supply  which  was  practically  inexhaus- 
tible, as  long  as  no  frosts  interfered.  Happily  the  season  was  propi- 
tious, and  the  people  by  these  little  gardens  were  well  supplied  with 
vegetables  of  all  kinds.  Corn,  bean  and  Irish  potato  seed  were  also 
supplied.  Knowing  these  people  as  well  as  I  did  (having  been  amongst 
them  from  childhood),  I  had  a  peculiar  sympathy  for  them,  and  in 
ever)'^  possible  way  so  conducted  my  affairs  as  to  benefit  and  instruct 
them  in  the  highest  possible  manner,  the  results  obtained  fully  repay- 
ing me  for  all  my  exertions  in  their  behalf.  I  never  at  any  time  found 
them  anything  but  kind,  respectful  and  extremely  grateful  for  what 
was  bestowed  upon  them,  and  the  evidences  shown  to-day,  amply  testify 
to  the  good  that  was  done  by  Red  Cross  methods  and  teachings.  Of 
course  troubles  and  trials  would  arise,  but  these  were  soon  overcome, 
and  things  would  go  on  smoothly  again. 

The  methods  adopted  by  Miss  Barton,  and  through  me  carried 
out,  gave  universal  satisfaction,  and  all  able-bodied  men  were  willing 
and  anxious  to  w^ork  for  their  rations.  The  clothing  (a  large  quantity), 
with  the  exception  of  that  given  by  me  in  exchange  for  labor,  was  dis- 
tributed through  the  sewing  societies  formed  by  Miss  Barton. 

This  field  was  taken  in  December,  1893,  and  held  till  August, 
1894,  when  I  left  there,  feeling  satisfied  that  all  danger  from  want  and 
privation  was  over.  Vegetables  had  been  abundant,  still  coming  in, 
the  rivers  furnishing  their  portion  in  abundance  of  fish,  etc.;  all  crops 
promising  a  good  harvest,  the  people  in  the  meantime  having  been 
brought  safely  through  the  most  trying  period  of  their  lives.  Many 
incidents  could  be  mentioned  of  the  trials  and  sufferings  endured  by 
these  people,  and  when  the  whole  story  is  told,  those  who  bestowed 
their  charity  in  this,  the  most  appalling  disaster  that  has  ever  visited 
our  coast,  will  not  feel  that  it  was  injudiciou.sly  expended,  or  their 
kindness  misplaced. 

Too  much  cannot  be  said  in  praise  of  Miss  Barton,  that  great  and 
wise  general,  on  this  most  peculiar  and  difficult  field,  for  there  never 
was  a  man  or  woman  who  labored  more  zealously  or  untiringly  in  a 
work  so  varied  in  its  character  or  harder  to  perform.  Enough  has  been 
.said  to  tell  the  arduous  duties  to  be  performed,  and  the  cares  and 


THE  SEA   ISLANDS   HURRICANE.  249 

anxieties  attendant  upon  a  work  of  this  kind,  but  after  a  hard  day's 
work,  the  consciousness  of  having  made  so  many  poor  souls  happy  would 
take  away  all  feeling  of  fatigue,  and  long  in  the  night  would  we  be 
packing  and  unpacking  goods  and  clothing,  and  sometimes  all  day 
Sunday,  thus  showing  that  no  amount  of  time  or  effort  was  spared  in 
behalf  of  those  dependent  upon  us. 

In  regard  to  the  good  accomplished  by  the  Red  Cross  (a  question 
so  often  asked),  can  more  be  said  than  this?  That  human  life  was 
saved  from  death  by  starvation;  the  homeless  were  housed,  and  the 
naked  were  clothed,  and  by  our  words  of  counsel  and  cheer  we  were 
enabled  to  give  new  hope  and  life  to  a  people  who  were  in  a  most  piti- 
able condition.  Some  ivho  7vere  not  on  that  hard  fought  field  have 
been  so  bold  as  to  criticise  us,  but  we  who  were  there  with  these  people 
in  their  hour  of  need,  and  worked  with  them  heart  to  heart  and  shoul- 
der to  shoulder,  know  what  we  did  and  the  everlasting  good  accom- 
plished, 

I  kept  a  complete  record  of  all  goods  received  and  everything 
given  out,  from  a  pint  of  grits  to  a  barrel  of  clothing.  Committees 
composed  of  the  most  intelligent  men  and  women  were  formed  to  inves- 
tigate and  report  for  each  plantation,  and  as  each  new  applicant 
appeared,  their  home  was  immediately  visited,  and  relief  extended 
according  to  their  needs.  In  justice  to  all  who  came,  I  can  truly  say 
that  in  very  few  instances  was  I  imposed  upon,  as  they  very  seldom 
stated  other  than  the  truth  in  regard  to  their  condition.  This  narrative 
could  be  extended  indefinitely,  there  is  so  much  to  write  about,  but  fear 
I  must  come  to  a  close,  as  my  patient  readers  must  be  tired  by  this 
time.  Sincerely  trusting  that  these  lines  will  convey  their  true  mean- 
ing to  those  interested,  I  will  subscribe  myself  as  a  sincere  admirer  of 
Miss  Barton  and  that  grand  institution  she  so  fittingly  represents. 

Eight  thousand  one  hundred  and  nine  souls  were  in  the  wards  of  the 
Red  Cross  in  this  district,  in  the  following  proportions  on  each  island  : 

Edisto      1, 812 

Wadmalaw 2,123 

South  John's 1,650 

North  John's      2,469 

Kiawah 55 

8, 109 
Upwards  of  200  packages  of  clothing    (barrels,  boxes  and  cases) 
were  giv^n    out,  besides   blankets,  comforters,    etc.,    special    attention 


250  THE  RED  CROSS. 

being  given  to  those  who  were  sick,  old  or  helpless.  Food  stuff  was 
distributed  in  the  following  amount: 

Grits 1, 5  27  bushels. 

Meal 163  bushels. 

Rice - ,672  pounds. 

Wheat  flour 23,980  pounds. 

Bacon  7,000  pounds. 

and  other  sundries,  such  as  tea,  vSugar,  canned  beef,  etc.  Seeds  were 
supplied,  such  as  peas,  tomatoes,  okra,  melon,  bean,  corn,  etc.,  of  the 
following  amounts: 

Corn 1 40  bushels. 

Bean 60  bushels. 

Irish  potato 75  bushels. 

Assorted  seed 30  bushels. 

Assorted  seed 3  crates. 

Garden  seed 3  boxes. 


Statement  of  Work  Done  on  Each  Island. 

WADMALAW    ISLAND. 

Twenty  miles  of  ditching. 

One-half  mile  of  road  work. 

One  house  repaired  and  others  rebuilt. 

Three  chimneys  repaired  and  others  rebuilt. 

Five  hundred  shingles  cut  and  split. 

Six  thousand  feet  of  planking  and  timber  hewn  and  cut. 

Wharf  built  at  Rockville  of  the  following  dimensions: 

One  hundred  and  ten  feet  long. 

Ten  feet  wide  with  a  bulkhead  twenty  by  thirty  feet. 
A  school  started  and  carried  on  for  several  months. 

EDISTO    ISLAND. 

Two  hundred  and  eleven  and  one-half  miles  of  ditching. 
One  thousand  four  hundred   and   seventy  feet  of  causeway, 

twelve  by  two  feet,  built. 
Two  hundred  feet  of  timber  cut  and  hewn. 
One  bridge  eighty  feet  long  and  twelve  feet  wide  rebuilt., 


THE   SEA   ISLANDS   HURRICANE. 


251 


KIAWAH    ISLAND. 

One  bridge  thirty-four  feet  long  and  ten  feet  wide  rebuilt  and 

put  in  order. 
One  bridge  fifty  feet  long  and  ten  feet  wide  rebuilt  and  put  in 

order. 
Eumber  to  do  same  cut  and  hewn  out  of  the  woods. 
Nine  hundred  feet    of  causeway  repaired  and   put   in    good 
order. 
The  above  account  does  not  include  the  hundreds  of    little  thing.'' 
which  would  cotne  up  from  day  to  day,  and  the  many  cares  that  werf 
upon  lis  at  all  times,  requiring  immediate  attention. 


THR    ISI.AXn   DISTRICT    FROM   SAVANN.\H    TO    BK.\UFORT. 


•THIv  RICD  CROSS. 


THE  CLOTHING  DHPARTMENT. 

Whilst  food  for  the  nourishment  of  these  thousands  of  human 
bodies  was  of  the  first  and  higliest  importance,  it  was  followed  so 
closely  by  the  necessity  of  something  to  cover  them,  that  the  two 
seemed  well  nigh  inseparable;  and  while  our  men  stood  over  the  boxes 
of  meats  and  the  bags  of  grain,  by  the  carload  and  the  trainload,  it  was 
no  less  imperative,  that  some  one  stand  by  the  boxes  and  barrels  of 
clothing  sent  from,  everywhere — sent  by  the  great,  warm,  pitying  hearts 
of  our  blessed,  generous  countrywomen,  from  the  church,  with  its 
towering  steeple  and  the  soft-toned  bell  that  calls  to  prayer,  the  blazing 
bazaar,  wath  its  galaxies  of  beauty,  animate  and  inanimate,  the  dimly 
lighted,  one  little  room  of  the  woman  who  has  toiled  out  all  day  and 
returns  weary  and  heavy  laden  to  the  waiting  family  of  little  ones,  who, 
in  the  midst  of  their  own  hard  life  an  J  the  need  of  much,  still  bless 
God  for  a  fate  better  than  those  they  hear  of — from  all  of  these  alike 
come  the  gifts  of  Dorcas.  In  tons  they  come,  and  some  one  must, 
"stand  and  deliver,"  as  hour  by  hour  goes  out  the  appeal:  "  Closen 
marm — please  give  me  some  closen.  I's  lost  all  I  had!  "  How  literally 
true  this  was  may  be  judged  by  the  fact  that  here  as  at  Johnstown,  there 
were  those  who  came  out  of  that  terrific  strife  for  life  with  no  thread 
left  on  the  body  but  the  shirt  band  about  the  neck,  which  a  strong,  well- 
sewed  button  had  served  to  hold. 

Again,  as  always,  we  turned  to  our  "  Mistress  of  the  Robes,"  Mrs. 
Dr.  Gardner,  whose  quick  and  clear  judgment  seems  to  double  the 
value  of  all  she  handles.  She  goes  to  every  field,  helps  to  organize, 
and  remains  as  long  as  the  strength  in  her  slender,  wiry  bod}'  permits. 
She  left  her  unpretending  report  as  far  as  she  was  able  to  do,  or  to 
make  it: 


Mrs.  Gardner's  Report. 

On  the  first  day  of  October,  1893,  the  American  National  Red 
Cross  took  charge  of  the  relief  work  of  the  Sea  Islands  of  South 
Carolina.     During  the  month  before  this  and  just  after  the  storm,  the 


THE   SEA   ISLANDS    HURRICANE.  255 

clothing  department  had  been  in  the  hands  of  a  very  efficient  local 
committee  composed  of  some  of  the  most  prominent  ladies  and  gentle- 
men of  the  section  around  Beaufort. 

In  the  first  days  after  a  disaster  of  this  kind,  the  necessity  of  relief 
work  is  so  great,  that  it  is  impossible  to  keep  a  correct  record  of  supplies 
that  pour  in  from  every  part  of  the  country,  and  this  was  no  exception, 
with  both  hearts,  and  hands  full,  distributing  to  the  thousands  of 
destitute  who  were  imploring  them  on  every  hand  for  help,  this 
committee  had  nothing  to  tell  of  what  had  been  received. 

After  we  took  charge,  a  faithful  record  was  kept,  and  when  there 
was  a  mark  of  any  kind  to  show  us  where  the  goods  came  from,  an 
acknowledgment  was  sent  at  once.  Many,  many  things  came  without 
a  sign  of  any  directions  to  tell  where  they  were  from.  In  these  cases 
close  watch  was  kept  for  any  writing  inside  to  give  some  clew.  I  have 
even  taken  the  newspaper  the  box,  barrel  or  parcel  was  lined  with,  and 
tried  in  that  way  to  reach  the  donors. 

The  people  of  the  United  States  are  a  most  generous  people,  and 
yet  so  modest  with  it,  that  they  very  often  miss  the  verification  of  the 
saying  that  "  it  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive."  Could  they 
stand,  as  do  the  members  of  the  National  Red  Cross,  and  look  into  the 
glad,  grateful  faces  of  the  relieved  ones,  there  would  be  no  need  of  our 
president  sending  out  circulars  and  letters  all  over  the  country,  praying 
that  articles  for  the  relief  be  plainly  marked.  Would  it  be  out  of  place 
for  me  to  urge  the  good  people  wdio  read  this  report  to  remember  this 
when  sending  to  the  next  field  ? 

The  distribution  of  the  clothing  had  to  be  systematically  planned. 
Here  was  a  territory  150  miles  long  by  50  miles  wide,  not  on  the  main 
land,  but  on  islands,  surrounded  by  water,  with  the  most  treacherous 
channels,  and  many  impossible  to  even  get  into.  The  people  to  be 
helped,  kind  and  industrious,  but  they  had  been  dependent  from  their 
cradles,  and  were  in  such  a  dazed  condition,  they  hardly  knew  what 
had  overtaken  them. 

The  clothing,  plenty  of  it,  but  all  for  adults.  What  was  to 
become  of  the  little  waifs  of  the  wind,  rain  and  high  tide?  Evidently 
these  goods  had  to  be  fashioned  into  little  garments. 

Bedding,  comparatively  none,  and  every  few  minutes  the  plea, 
"  Please  miss,  just  a  little  bedding  to  keep  the  chilluns  warm  at 
night. ' ' 

I  have  stood  at  my  table  from  7  a.  ni.  until  way  into  the  night, 
opening  boxes,   barrels   and   parcels,  and  not  one  piece  of  bedding  to 


256  THE   RKD   CROSS. 

come  to   my  hands.     The  people  on   half  rations,    thinly  clothed   and 
nothing  to  keep  them  warm  of  a  night. 

This,  as  well  as  all  other  puzzling  questions,  were  referred  to  our 
most  honored  president,  and  I  have  asked  her  to  tell  how  she  came  to 
the  rescue,  and  by  her  wise  forethought  not  only  assisted  her  own 
workers,  but  placed  a  responsibility  upon  the  people  that  made  them 
help  each  other,  and  gave  them  a  self-respect  that  they  would  have 
gained  in  no  other  way. 


THE  SEA   ISLANDvS    HURRICANE.  257 


THE  SEWING  CIRCLES. 

There  are  many  points  in  the  administration  of  relief  that  will 
never  present  themselves  nntil  forced  upon  the  mind  by  the  absolute 
necessities  of  the  case.  It  was  not  long  until  we  were  confronted  with 
a  condition  of  things  that  called  for  ingenious  methods  and  diplo- 
matic action.  All  foods  sent  or  purchased  were  always  of  good  quality 
and  in  readiness  for  immediate  distribution  and  use — these  could  be 
given  to  the  committeeman,  who  in  turn  sent  them  out  as  veritable 
rations  a  specified  quantity  to  each.  There  was  no  question,  no 
judgment  required,  no  opportunity  for  favoritism,  no  chance  for  reserve. 
But  with  the  clothing  all  these  conditions  changed  and  securities 
vanished.  The  committeeman  w^ho  came  for  the  rations  of  food,  took 
also  the  boxes  of  clothing,  and  naturally  claimed  the  privilege  of 
distribution.  The  clothing  sent  was  very  largely,  as  is  always  the  case, 
for  women  and  children.  This  rough  negro,  however  well  versed 
in  corn  meal,  hominy  and  bacon,  was  not  likely  to  prove  a  skillful 
manipulator  of  women's  wardrobes.  Jealousies  would  arise  and 
criminations  follow.  Again  the  chothing  was  almost  entirely  second- 
hand, sent  hastily,  and  usually  so  out  of  repair  as  to  be  nearly  useless 
for  actual  wear  until  overlooked,  mended,  strengthened  and  put  into 
proper  condition.  How  was  this  to  be  done  ?  Thirty  thousand  people 
to  clothe,  winter  at  hand,  little  shelter,  and  almost  no  bedding — surely 
li'e  could  not  undertake  this  labor.  That  a  poor,  imtaught  negro  labor- 
ing women,  would  never  of  herself  mend  a  hole,  or  sew  on  a  button, 
even  if  she  had  a  button,  a  needle,  and  thread,  and  a  place  to  do  it  in. 
How  to  formulate  some  system  by  which  this  could  be  done,  how  to 
get  them  under  intelligent  direction,  to  get  the  women  interested  and 
into  the  work  and  the  men  out  of  it,  for  the  committeemen  were  fast 
gaining  in  importance  and  influence  among  the  other  men  by  reason  of 
patronage,  a  kind  of  "  political  pull,"  one  might  say. 

1  struggled  with  this  problem  som«  days,  until  finally — it  might 
have  been  the  spirit  of  the  Widow  Bedott  that  come  to  my  assistance — 
for  suddenly  there  flits  through  my  perplexed  mind  the  idea  of  "  sewing 
societies."      No  amendment  was  required,  and  the  resolution  was  put 


25t  THE   RED  CROSS. 

and  motion  carried  in  far  less  time  than  it  had  taken  to  evolve  the  idea. 
Word  went  out  at  once  that  the  president  of  the  Red  Cross,  accom- 
panied by  her  staff,  of  ladies  especially,  would  be  pleased  to  meet  the 
women  of  one  of  the  most  important  islands;  that  the  meeting  would 
be  held  in  the  interest  of  the  women;  that  they  might  consider  it  their 
meeting — but  men  were  not  forbidden — would  they  .kindly  appoint  a 
day,  and  place  of  meeting,  and  the  hour  most  convenient  for  themselves. 
The  church  which  had  been  repaired  was  selected,  and  its  clergyman 
notified  us. 

It  was  a  sunny  autumn  day  when  our  party  crossed  over  the  ferry 
and  landed  on  the  sandy  beach  of  Coosaw,  and  took  our  pathways 
through  the  clumps  of  shrubs  and  trees,  basking  in  the  sunshine,  but 
ripening  and  reddening  with  the  dying  year.  Soon  groups  of  women 
commenced  to  appear  from  the  by  paths  and  the  little  trails  on  either 
side,  dressed  in  the  best  we  had  given  them,  and  traveled  on  with 
cheery  faces,  full  of  expectation. 

After  a  journey  of  perhaps  two  miles,  the  little  ' '  ractified  '"^  church 
came  in  sight,  or  rather  would  have  come  in  sight  but  for  the  crowd  of 
people  gathered  about  it.  The  entrance  was  politely  held  clear  for  us. 
The  little  edifice,  which  would  seat  with  its  gallery  perhaps  two  hundred 
persons,  was  packed  with  a  waiting  audience.  The  platform  and  desk 
had  been  reserved  for  the  "extinguished  visitors,"  and  we  took  our 
places.  The  entire  space  filled  and  echoed  with  the  sweet,  plaintive 
melody  that  the  negro  voice  alone  can  give.  This  was  followed  by 
earnest  prayer  by  the  pastor;  then  a  little  speech  of  welcome  by  the 
elder,  and  we  were  introduced  to  our  audience.  And,  who  could  ask  a 
more  attentive  or  sympathetic  audience  than  this!  The  president,  who 
has  addressed  some  bodies  of  people,  never  stood  before  one  that  she 
enjoyed  or  honored  more.  Here  was  the  simplicity  of  nature,  the 
earnestness  of  truth,  the  innate  trust  in  the  love  and  care  of  the  living 
God  of  Heaven  that  even  its  winds  and  waves  could  not  shake,  and 
the  glorious  spirit  of  resignation  that  could  suffer  and  be  glad,  if  not 
strong. 

But  to  business.  The  situation  was  fulh'  explained  to  them,  and 
they  were  told  that  in  spite  of  all  we  had  for  them,  they  alone  could 
comfortably  clothe  themselves  through  the  winter.  Then  the  plan  of 
a  well  arranged  sewing  society,  with  its  constitution,  laws,  officers  and 
regulations  was  explained,  and  their  approval  and  co-operation  asked. 
On  a  unanimous  assent,  they  were  required  to  select  twenty-five 
women  from  among  them,  who  should  retire  for  twenty  minutes  and 


THE  SEA   ISLANDS  HURRICANE.  259 

discuss  the  subject  among  themselves,  selecting  their  chief  officers,  and 
so  far  as  possible,  give  us  the  points  of  their  organization. 

In  the  body  of  women  that  rose  and  retired  for  consultation  one 
saw  good  ground  for  hope  of  success.  A  part  were  the  strong,  matronly 
women,  whose  childhood  and  youth  had  been  passed  in  the  service  of 
the  hospitable  home  of  the  master  in  the  old  days  of  elegant  luxury 
"  'fo  de  wa',"  and  who  needed  no  one  to  teach  them  courtesy  or  what 
belonged  to  a  family  household;  others  were  sewing  girls,  some  of 
whom  had  partially  learned  trades,  and  a  few  were  teachers,  for  the 
great  majority  of  the  children  of  ten  years  and  upwards  on  these 
islands  had  been  taught  to  read.  These  women  needed  only  the  proper 
instruction,  encouragement,  the  way  opened  for  them,  the  suitable 
material  distributed,  and  the  liberty  of  action  and  conscience,  with  no 
patronage  or  politics  invading  their  premises. 

The  system  formulated  for  one  society  became  the  system  for  all; 
each  district  which  received  rations  of  food  had  its  regularly  organized 
sewing  society  for  the  clothing  sent  to  them  on  requisition.  First 
soma  room  was  found,  with  a  fire,  shelves  arranged  for  garments  and 
tables  for  work.  Of  the  twenty-five  official  women,  each  should  give 
one  week  of  her  time  in  every  month,  but  changing  regularly  in  order 
that  at  no  time  should  there  be  more  than  one-fourth  of  the  number 
new  to  the  work  in  hand.  Four  women  should  visit  and  inspect 
applicants  for  assistance,  and  two  should  attend  entirely  to  the  wants 
of  the  feeble  and  old  and  the  sick,  to  see  that  they  were  in  no  way 
neglected. 

Of  those  in  the  sewing  room,  a  part  cut  overgarments  for  children, 
as  there  are  never  enough  of  these;  others  repaired  and  mended.  As 
the  barrels  and  boxes  went  in  from  the  committeemen,  they  were 
received  and  opened  on  one  side  of  the  room;  when  repaired  they  were 
placed  on  the  shelves  on  the  opposite  side  and  given  out  from  there 
on  the  recommendation  of  the  visiting  inspectors.  Along  with  the 
clothing  went  thread,  needles,  pins,  thimbles,  wax,  shears,  knives  and 
pieces  for  mending.  For  the  bedding,  besides  two  thousand  heavy 
wool  blankets  which  were  donated,  as  many  more  purchased;  cotton 
batting  and  calico,  or  muslin,  by  the  ton  were  bought,  and  the  societies 
instructed  in  tying  "  comforts,"  which  in  many  instances  served  as  both 
cover  and  l>ed. 

There  was  never  any  complaint  with  these  women  about  the  time 
given  to,  or  the  labor  performed,  in  this  ser\'ice  for  the  cotnmon  weal, 
and  seldom  any  difficulty  arose  bet»v«^f>n  them.     If  so,  a  few  words  set 


26o  THE   RKD   CROSS. 

it  right,  and  the  offending  individual  was  discovered,  pointed  out,  and 
put  out  of  the  society,  with  the  usual  explanatory  remark:  "She  want 
too  much  rule;  she  done  always  do  make  trouble."  But  whatever 
trials  the  day  might  bring  to  them,  the}-  were  solaced  and  forgotten  in 
the  nice  afternoon  lunch,  and  the  steaming  cups  of  tea  and  coffee  pre- 
pared by  one  of  the  members  from  the  rations  so  wisely  planned  and 
faithfully  sent  by  Mrs.  Gardner. 

Next  to  the  absolute  necessity  for  the  distribution  of  food  supplies, 
and  the  great  essentials  of  life  itself,  I  regard  the  sewing  societies  as 
perhaps  the  most  important  feature  of  the  field.  From  these  they 
learned  not  alone  the  lesson  of  self-help,  but  of  mutual  help,  which  they 
had  never  known  before.  It  had  never  occurred  to  them  to  look  about 
and  see  who  was  in  need,  and  find  away  to  help  it;  and  it  was  a  glad 
satisfaction  to  hear  their  voluntary  pledges  when  we  left  them,  never 
to  give  up  the  custom  of  these  societies,  and  the  habit  of  caring  for 
their  poor. 

Appended  to  Mrs.  Gardner's  report  are  long,  tiresome  lists  of 
names  of  recipients,  which,  however  necessar}'  and  business  like  in  their 
time  and  place,  we  maj^  well  spare  the  reader  in  these  belated  years; 
but  one  little  list  appeals  to  me  with  such  loving  interest,  that  I  am 
constrained  to  ask  the  privilege  of  inserting  it.  It  is  a  partial  roll  of 
the  presidents  of  the  sewing  societies,  of  whose  tireless,  faithful  work 
no  adequate  description  could  be  given.  And  when  we  read  among 
them  the  name  of  Mrs.  Admiral  Beardslee,  and  that  missionary  of 
scholarship  and  teaching  on  St.  Helena,  Miss  Ellen  Murray,  the  lovable 
and  accomplished  late  wife  of  Robert  Small,  and  Mrs.  John  MacDonald, 
who  humbly  and  magnanimously  placed  themselves  side  by  side  with 
poor,  unlettered,  but  honest  and  faithful  Patty  Frazier,  and  her  kind, 
the  reader  will  feel  with  me  that  it  is  indeed  a  roll  of  honor: 


Society.  President. 

Coosaw  Works Mrs.  Mary  Chaplain 

Beaufort Mrs.  General  Small 

Hilton  Head Mrs.  John  MacDonald 

Wadmalaw Mrs.  Frank  Whale}'^ 

Ladies'  Island Mrs.  Sam  Green 

St.  Helena Miss  Ellen  Murray 

Coosaw  Island Maria  Rivers 

Bennet's  Point C.  C.  Richardson 


THE  SEA    ISLANDS    HURRICANE.  261 

Society.  President. 

Musselboro Mrs.  Phillips 

Hutchinson,  Holders,  )  ...   „. 

^    c  ^^.^  \ W.  Rivers 

Beef,  Warreti  J 

Rockville H.  L.  Bailey 

Edisto Amanda  Brown 

Tommy  Johns Mary  Jenkins 

Johns  Island Mrs.  Chas.  Wilson 

Big  State  Plantation Jackson  Field 

Jericho,  Rhetts. F.  C.  Garrett 

Dixouville General  Saunders 

Paris  Island Mrs,  Beardslee 

Tommy  Rhodes Patty  Frazier 

Christmas,  which  two  months  before  had  seemed  but  a  veil  of 
future  blackness,  opened  bright  and  cheerful.  Most  of  the  churches 
had  been  in  some  way  reopened,  and  Christmas  Eve  brought  again  its 
melody,  its  prayer  and  its  praise. 

There  was  in  all  this  a  Christian  spirit,  so  sweet,  so  much  to  be 
commended,  that  I  could  not  refrain  from  passing  in  my  little  contribu- 
tion of  a  Christmas  carol,  for  which  they  at  once  found  a  tune  and  sang 
■t  with  a  will.     lyight-hearted,  happy  race. 


A  CHRISTMAS  CAROL. 

For  my  30,000  Sea  Island  Frieuds. 

A  Loving  Greeting  and  Merry  Christmas. — Clara  Barton. 

Lo!  The  Christmas  morn  is  breaking, 

Bring  the  angels  bright  array, 
For  the  Christian  world  is  waking, 
And  the  Lord  is  born  to-day. 

Shout  then,  brothers;  shout  and  pray. 
For  the  blessed  Lord  is  born  to-day. 

No  more  tears  and  pain  and  sorrow, 
Hark  !  I  hear  the  angels  say 

Blessed  be  the  bright  to-morrow, 
For  the  Lord  is  born  to-day. 

Shout  then,  sisters;  shout  and  pray, 
For  the  blessed  Lord  is  born  to-day. 


262  THE   RRD   CROSS. 

Forget  your  night  of  sad  disaster, 

Cast  your  burdens  all  away, 

Wait  the  coming  of  the  Master, 

For  the  Lord  Is  born  to-day. 

Shout  then,  children;  shout  and  pray. 
For  the  blessed  Lord  is  born  to-day. 

In  the  sunlight,  soft  and  golden, 

Round  the  babe  the  angels  play; 
List,  their  notes  so  grand  and  olden, 
Lo!  The  Lord  is  born  to-day. 

Shout,  all  people;  shout  and  pray 
For  the  blessed  Lord  is  born  to-day. 


THK  SEA  ISLANDS  HURRICANE.  263 


CLOTHING   DEPARTMENT— Continued. 

As  the  work  dropped  from  the  weary  hand  of  Mrs.  Gardner, 
another,  stronger,  more  fresh  and  new  in  the  work,  took  it  up.  Mrs. 
Harriette  h.  Reed,  of  Boston,  who,  while  never  permanently  with  us, 
seldom  allows  a  field  to  escape  her.  We  regard  it  as  a  loss  to  any 
field  where  her  genial  presence,  clear  perception  and  sound  judgment 
take  no  part.  Mrs.  Reed,  like  our  beloved  and  brilliant  countrywoman, 
Mrs.  Logan,  went  to  the  civil  war  of  186 1,  a  bride.  Her  gallant  young 
husband,  Captain  J.  Sewall  Reed,  took  the  first  detachment  of  volun- 
teer cavalry  from  California,  known  as  the  "  California  One  Hundred." 
He  fell  in  an  ambuscade,  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  1864.  His 
brave  young  wife  was  always  with  him  at  the  front,  and  received  his 
dead  body  when  brought  in.  Thus  early  bereft,  she  took  up  the 
march  of  life  alone,  and  faithfully  and  tirelessly  has  she  made  it,  with 
a  cheering  word  and  an  outstretched  hand  to  every  weary  comrade  in 
the  tedious  march  of  more  than  three  decades,  and  still  she  serves,  and 
still  they  call  her  blessed. 

Her  graceful  report,  which  has  lain  in  my  portfolio  since  1893, 
now  comes  to  light  with  its  waiting  companions: 


Mrs.  Reed's  Report. 

The  preceding  account  of  the  distribution  of  clothing,  relates  to 
the  early  part  of  the  work  covering  a  period  of  several  months,  and 
was  under  the  charge  of  Mrs.  Dr.  Gardner,  of  Bedford,  Ind.,  who  was 
called  home. 

Coming  upon  the  scene  about  this  time,  I  was  more  than  glad  to 
take  up  her  work  to  a  small  extent,  and  for  three  months  it  was  my 
privilege  to  labor  in  this  field  of  the  Red  Cross  vvork,  bringing  so 
often  to  my  mind  the  words  of  the  Master,  "for  I  was  naked  and  ye 
clothed  me." 

And  what  a  strange,  unusual  and  extraordinary  field  of  labor  it 
was  and  how  unlike  anything  I  had  ever  seen  before.  Let  me  briefly 
picture  a  few  of  the  regular  types  of  "sufferers"  besieging  head- 
quarters, the  old,  decrepit  uncle  of  the  days  "  befo'    the  wah  "  with 


^64  THE   RKD   CROSS. 

white  head  and  bent  shoulders;  the  little  one,  toddling  along  behind 
the  young  mother,  hiding  in  her  tattered  garments,  with  great  black 
eyes  peering  through  the  rags;  the  strong  young  man,  barefoot  or  with 
pieces  of  shoes  tied  on  with  strings,  coat  and  pants  that  looked  like 
relics  of  a  bygone  time  and  a  conspicuous  absence  of  under  garments; 
the  old-time  "mammy"  shivering  with  cold  and  begging  for  a  little 
"  closen  "  to  keep  her  warm,  all  these  and  more  were  our  daily,  hourly 
visitors,  imploring  our  aid  and  needing  it  oh,  how  sorely!  And  what 
heartrending  tales  of  loss  and  sorrow  and  fearful  destitution  w^ere 
brought  to  us  by  these  messengers  from  a  stricken  people!  Many  of 
them,  before  the  cyclone,  had  comfortable  little  homes- and  clothing 
sufficient  for  their  simple  needs;  occasionally  a  sewing  machine  was 
owned,  and  sometimes,  in  more  favored  homes,  an  organ.  Now,  there 
was  absolutely  nothing  of  all  this.  Parents,  children,  friends  were 
gone — not  a  vestige  left  of  the  home;  horses,  mules,  cows,  hens  swept 
away,  and  scarcely  clothing  enough  left  to  cover  part  of  the  family.  It 
was  not  an  infrequent  tale  that  fell  upon  our  ears,  that  the  little  band 
that  had  left  the  home  were  all  that  could  find  sufficient  clothing  to 
come  in  and  the  rest  were  left  nearly  naked  in  consequence. 

Verj'  early  in  the  morning  a  motley  crowd  gathered  in  the  street, 
in  the  vicinitj^  of  headquarters,  and  all  day  long  they  were  coming  and 
going  and  it  was  far  into  the  evening  before  the  last  one  had  departed. 
And,  what  a  good-natured,  patient,  orderly  crowd  it  was!  Seldom  was 
there  any  loud  talking,  screaming,  quarreling  such  as  is  ordinarily 
heard  in  a  like  gathering,  in  scenes  wath  which  I  had  been  more  familiar. 
The  shadow  of  the  terrible  calamity  that  had  befallen  them  had  in  no 
wise  departed  from  them,  and  not  yet  had  the  dawn  of  the  new  day 
restored  the  happy,  careless,  cheery  manner  that  seems  to  be  natural 
to  them. 

When  they  were  admitted  to  the  office,  singly  or  in  small  groups, 
as  was  necessary,  for  our  quarters  were  limited,  how  quietly,  respect- 
fully, they  made  their  entrance!  No  crowding  nor  jostling  to  get  the 
best  places  or  be  served  first,  but  patiently  waiting  their  turn,  entering 
with  a  low  bow  or  deep  courtesy,  they  received  the  slip  of  paper  that 
meant  so  much  to  them  and,  with  words  and  tears  of  gratitude,  with- 
drew as  quietly  as  they  came. 

It  is  simply  impossible  within  the  limits  of  this  report,  and  indeed 
words  are  inadequate,  to  convey  even  a  faint  idea  of  the  immensity  of 
the  labor  required  in  this  department.  Kind  hearts  all  over  our  land 
had  been  stirred  by  the  appeals  that   had  been  made  for  those  needy 


THE   SEA    ISLANDS    HURRICANE.  265 

ones,  and  boxes,  barrels,  bundles,  all  sorts  and  descriptions  of  these 
came  pouring  in  upon  us.  All  of  these  must  be  unpacked  and  sorted 
and  again  repacked  before  they  could  reach  those  for  whom  they  were 
intended.  Think  of  this,  careful  housekeepers,  as  you  sort  over  and 
pack  away  your  family  wardrobe  and  household  goods.  Think  what 
it  would  mean  to  sort  over  and  pack  away  clothing  for  the  use  of  thirty 
thousand  people. 


As  I  think  it  will  not  be  without  interest  to  our  readers,  to  give  a 
little  closer  view  of  the  people  among  whom  we  worked;  for  this 
purpose  I  shall  make  a  few  extracts  from  various  letters  received  at 
Red  Cross  headquarters.  The  first  is  a  plea  for  help  and  is  a  fair 
sample  of  these  papers,  I  copy  words  and  spelling  with  no  attempt  at 
correction : 


Miss  Clara  Barton  the  queen  ok  the  Red  cross  Society. 

we  ar  now,  making  a  Plead  before  you  niam.  we  are  the  suffers  of  the  Storm, 
we  beg  you  mam  to  helph  we  to  som  clothing,  mam  we  ar  all  naked,  mam, 
there  is  Som  old  People  is  there  mam  can  not  helph  thorn  Self  Some  motherlis 
children  is  there  can  not  helph  them  Self  Waiting  for  Som  clothing  If  you  Please 
mam.  Thanks  you  mam  for  the  Rashon  (rations)  we  get  it  mam  But  no  clothing 
we  Get  We  is  the  committee  of  the  clothing. 


This  is  signed  by  the  three  women  of  the  committee. 

As  pleas  for  help  came  by  mail,  so  also  did  letters  of  thanks  and 
a  few  of  these  will  tell  their  own  story  much  better  than  any  description 
ot  mine  could  possibly  hope  to  do.     Here  is  one: 


we  the  people  of  this  Plantation  have  sen  much  thank  to  you  Dear  madam  for 
the  closing  (clothing)  what  you  have  send  for  ous  the  very  children  sen  there 
thanks  to  you  for  the  shoes  an  closing  that  you  have  sent  for  them  an  we  the' 
people  pray  Day  and  night  that  the  god  of  heaven  will  keep  you  an  gard  you  an 
when  this  short  life  is  pass  heaven  will  be  your  home  nothing  more  to  say  at 
present.     Signed  by  one  member  of  the  committee,  a  woman. 


266  THE   RKD   CROSvS. 

As  an  instance  of  the  desire  of  many  of  the  committees  in  charge 
of  the  distribution  of  clothing,  to  be  honest  and  fair,  I  copy  another 
letter  : 

Miss  Barton  : 

Dear  Madam  :  Mrs.  Diana  Williams  president  of  Sewing  Society  No.  i 
Say  she  coming  over  for  Clothing  on  Monday  I  dont  think  eny  clothing  need  not 
right  away  I  wouhl  like  to  see  on  my  Section  how  many  needy  person  are  not  serve 
in  Clothing  yet  and  plese  dont  send  over  no  clothing  before  for  it  will  take  me  some 
time,  when  clothing  are  need  to  go  over  I  will  let  you  now  (know)  for  further 
information  I  can  explain  it  something  I  like  to  say  to  you  before  eny  more  cloth- 
ing go  over. 

I  have  thus  far  mentioned  the  more  pleasant  features  of  this  work, 
but  no  one  will  be  surprised  if  I  toitch  lightly  upon  some  of  its  trials. 
Life  was  not  always  "  one  long,  bright,  sunny  day  "  in  the  Sea  Islands, 
any  more  than  it  is  in  the  more  favored  sections  of  our  land.  This 
great  work  of  relief  had  its  reverse  side  ;  the  usual  trials,  disappoint- 
ments and  discouragements  attending  most  lines  of  philanthropic  work 
were  not  lacking  here.  Not  all  were  entirely  content  with  the 
necessary  restrictions  and  methods  ;  not  all  were  wholly  satisfied  with 
such  things  as  could  be  found  for  them  just  at  that  time  ;  not  all 
committees  worked  in  absolute  peace  and  harmony,  and  the  common 
faults  of  humanity  in  general  were  not  wholly  absent. 

I  well  remember  one  instance  which  will  illustrate  these  conditions. 
Two  rival  committees  presented  themselves  before  our  president,  both 
anxious  to  establish  their  rights  and  claims,  and  with  great  earnestness 
and  vehemence  related  their  grievances.  With  her  usual  wisdom  and 
patience,  sitting  in  their  midst  like  a  judge  in  his  court,  she  pronounced 
the  sentence  which  was  that  no  more  clothing  should  be  issued  to  either 
side  for  the  present.     This  will  explain  the  following  letter  : 

Hon.  Miss  Barton  : 

Dear  Madam  :  We  the  people  of  this  Island  give  you  grate  thanks,  for  what 
you  are  Doing  for  us.  as  the  cormittee  We  have  put  Before  us,  are  Doing  all  in 
their  power  and  knowdge  (knowledge)  We  Believe,  and  Dear  Madam  the  com- 
mittee of  the  cloth  (clothes)  Who  Went  before  you  with  the  corruption  We  Dont 
recunize  (recognize)  them  in  that  for  We  the  people  of  this  island  are  very  happy 
for  all  that  you  are  Doing  for  us.  Now  Dear  Madam  We  ask  you,  as  vs^e  lem  that 
the  close  are  stop  on  account  of  the  fust  (fuss)  that  the  cormittee  made  among 
themselves  this  we  nows  nothing  about  this  nether  the  cormittee  We  put  before  us 
these  don't  no  anything  about  it 


THE  SKA  ISLANDS  HURRICANE.  267 

This  is  signed  by  twenty-two  men  of  the  Island. 

Scenes  of  this  sort  were  not  of  frequent  occurrence  and  were  the 
exception  to  the  rule  of  general  satisfaction  which  prevailed  every- 
where. As  the  months  went  by,  smiles  returned  to  their  faces  and 
hope  to  their  hearts,  and  by  every  method  in  their  power,  they  evinced 
a  most  sincere  desire  to  do  something  for  their  benefactors.  Delegations 
of  men  and  women  came  from  long  distances,  sailing  in  their  boats 
days  and  nights,  oftentimes  to  express  their  gratitude  and  thanks. 

With  the  coming  of  spring,  they  brought  us  early  vegetables  from 
their  gardens,  seeds  having  been  furnished  them  b}-  the  Red  Cross  ; 
they  searched  the  woods  and  the  fields  for  the  beautiful  wild  flowers  so 
abundant  there,  till  our  rooms  were  filled  with  beauty  and  fragrance 
and  our  hearts  gladdened  by  their  brightness, 

I  have  tried  in  this  very  imperfect  report  to  give  a  little  idea  of 
our  life  at  the  Sea  Islands  and  the  manner  of  our  work.  Its  great 
magnitude,  its  far-reaching  results  must  be  imagined,  for  they  cannot 
be  told.  The  histor)^  of  philanthropy  has  few  brighter  pages  to  record 
and  its  pleasant  memories  will  gladden  our  hearts  long  after  its  weary 
hours  are  forgotten. 


268  THI-:    RED    CROSS. 


LEAVING  THE  FIELD. 


If  it  be  desirable  to  understand  when  to  commence  a  work  of 
relief,  to  know  if  the  objects  presented  are  actually  such  as  to  be  bene- 
fited by  the  assistance  which  would  be  rendered,  it  is  no  less  desirable 
and  indispensable  that  one  knows  when  to  end  such  relief,  in  order  to 
avoid,  first,  the  weakening  of  effort  and  powers  for  self-sustenance; 
second,  the  encouragement  of  a  tendency  to  beggary  and  pauperism, 
by  dependence  upon  others  which  should  be  assumed  by  the  persons 
themselves.  It  has  always  been  the  practice  of  the  Red  Cross  to  watch 
this  matter  closely  and  leave  a  field  at  the  suitable  moment  when  it 
could  do  so  without  injury  or  unnecessary  suffering,  thus  leaving  a 
wholesome  stimulus  on  the  part  of  the  beneficiaries  to  help  not  only 
themselves  individually,  but  each  other. 

Seldom  a  field,  or  any  considerable  work  of  relief  which  may  have 
attracted  public  notice,  comes  to  a  close  that  there  does  not  some  person 
or  body  of  persons  arise  and  propose  to  continue  the  work  under  some 
new  form,  but  using  the  former  well  established  sources  of  sup- 
plies; to  put  out  new  appeals  to  old  patrons,  detailing  great  need, 
newly  discovered,  and  thus  keep  the  sympathetic  public  forever  on  the 
anxious  seats  of  never-ending  pity  and  help.  We  have  been  compelled 
to  guard  against  this  at  the  close  of  every  long-continued  field,  notably 
Johnstown,  where  it  became  necessary  for  the  citizens  to  organize  a 
"Home  Relief"  to  keep  sensational  strangers  off  the  ground,  and 
their  well  arranged  ' '  Benevolent  Union  ' '  of  to-day  is  the  result. 

The  Sea  Islands  were  no  exception,  and  at  the  last  moment  of  our 
stay  a  well-drawn  petition  was  discovered  (for  it  was  to  be  kept  con- 
cealed until  we  were  gone) ,  and  was  checked  only  by  the  vigorous  aid 
of  the  Charleston  Neivs  and  Courier,  of  June  25,  1894,  always  our  stay 
and  friend  in  time  of  trouble.  I  append  a  letter  to  that  journal  which 
followed  a  visit  from  their  able  correspondent.  The  last  weeks  of  our 
stay  in  that  place  were  passed  in  Charleston,  hence  the  letter  dates 
from  there: 

To  the  Editor  of  the  "  New%  and  Courier,** 

Charleston,  S.  C: 

If  no  other  service  called  for  my  pen  this  morning  it  would  be  sufficient 
motive  that  it  comes  to  thank  you  for  the  graceful,  manly  and  cordial  note  of 


THE  vSKA  ISLANDS  HURRICANE.  269 

yesterday,  which  will  always  hold  its  place  among  my  treasures  of  elegant  litera- 
ture, asking  for  a  personal  audience  for  your  correspondent  for  some  facts  con- 
cerning the  work  which  has  recently  been  brought  to  a  close.  *  «  ♦ 

It  is  little  to  say  that,  without  the  strong,  honest  support  given  in  notes  of  no 
uncertain  sound,  bearing  in  every  line  the  courage  of  its  convictions,  of  the 
Charleston  News  and  Courier,  no  work  of  relief  of  this  great  disaster  could  have 
lived  and  been  carried  on  to  any  success  *  *  * 

The  rations  issued  have  been  as  follows:  St.  Helena,  5,724  persons;  Ladies' 
Island,  including  Coosaw,  Corn,  Morgan  and  adjoining  smaller  islands,  3,500; 
Hilton  Head,  including  the  twelve  islands  in  the  group  and  adjoining  mainland, 
including  Bluffton,  2,875;  Paris  Island,  597;  Port  Royal  Island,  2,666;  Kean's  Neck, 
situated  on  the  mainland,  including  Coosaw  and  Pacific  phosphate  districts,  1,437; 
Hutchinson  Island  district,  including  Bennett's  and  Musselboro  Points,  Fenwick, 
Seabrook,  Baird's,  Sampson  and  other  smaller  islands,  3,238;  Edisto,  Wadmalaw, 
John's  and  adjacent  islands,  S,ooo.  The  above  figures  do  not  include  the  special 
issue  on  the  mainland  of  34,000  in  number  nor  the  regular  labor  rations  of  6,500, 
which  is  a  double  ration. 

I  say  I  was  more  than  willing  to  leave  all  this  needful  detail  to  other  hands, 
inasmuch  as  the  subject  which  I  desired  to  present  is  of  a  different  nature,  con- 
cerning the  general  points  of  welfare,  and,  may  I  say,  reputation  of  vSouth  Carolina, 
and  addressed  to  the  people  of  all  this  grand  and  goodly  State  of  old  renown. 
Proud  and  chivalrous,  all  the  world  knows  that  it  must  be  hard  and  distasteful  for 
her  to  accept  help  under  any  conditions,  and  it  is  only  in  the  fury  of  an  elemental 
rage,  as  when  the  earth  crumbles  under  her,  or  the  seas  roll  over  her,  that  anyone 
essays  to  attempt  it;  and  it  was  for  this  reason,  if  no  other  had  been  needed,  that 
I  came  personally  to  stand  among  my  workers,  and  see  to  it  that  the  Red  Cross,  at 
least,  bear  in  all  it  did  a  demeanor  of  delicacy  and  respect,  wdiere  it  must  extend 
its  aid.     I  believe  it  has  done  this. 

It  cannot  be  necessary  to  repeat  at  this  late  day  that  I  was  asked  by  your 
governor  to  accept  the  charge  of  the  relief  of  the  sufferers  of  the  Sea  Islands,  of 
whom  it  was  said  there  were  thirty  thousand  who  would  need  aid  until  they  could 
raise  something  to  subsist  upon  themselves.  This  was  accepted  with  great  hesi- 
tancy, and  only  in  view  of  the  fact  that  no  other  body  of  persons  in  all  the  land 
appeared  to  assume  the  responsibility,  and  with  the  cordial,  unselfish  and  generous 
support  of  the  advisory  committee  of  Charleston  and  Beaufort,  to  whom  our 
earnest  thanks  are  due,  the  work  has  been  carried  on  to  a  successful  conclusion. 
It  later  developed  that  an  equal  number  of  persons,  both  white  and  colored, 
residing  on  the  seagirt  coast  of  the  State,  now  known  as  the  "mainland,"  were 
nearly  as  destitute  as  the  islanders,  and  many  of  them  equally  storm  swept. 
Finding  these  people  appealing  to  us,  and  well  knowing  that,  in  the  depressed 
financial  condition  of  the  entire  United  States,  we  could  not  .'lafely  take  on  this 
double  charge,  we  memorialized  the  South  Carolina  Legislature  in  November;  the 
people,  also  under  our  advice,  petitioned  for  a  little  aid  to  get  them  through  the 
winter.     The  governor  al.so  recommended  the  .suggestion. 

For  some  reason,  which  we  never  knew,  no  response  was  given.  We  never 
questioned  this,  but  redoubled  our  exertions  to  meet  the  wants  as  they  came  by 
single  rations  issued  upon  application,  until  our  books  show  an  issue  up  to  June  i 
of  over  34,000  to  the  needy  white  and  colored  on  the  mainland  of  the  State,  from 


270  THE  RED  CROSS. 

Charleston  to  Savannah.  No  applicant,  unless  detected  in  absolute  imposiiiou, 
and  this  after  having  been  repeatedly  served  with  all  he  needed  for  the  time,  has 
ever  been  declined.  Our  thirty  thousand  Sea  Islanders  have  received  their  weekly 
rations  of  food,  they  have  been  taught  to  distribute  their  own  clothing,  making 
official  report,  and  have  done  it  well.  They  are  a  well  clothed  people,  and  over 
20,000  gannents  have  gone  to  the  mainland.  Thousands  of  little  homes  have  been 
rebuilt  or  repaired,  and  are  occupied.  Over  245  miles  of  ditches  have  been  made, 
reclaiming  and  improving  many  thousands  of  acres  of  land;  nearly  five  tons  of 
garden  seeds,  producing  all  varieties  of  vegetables  in  their  well-fenced  gardens  of 
from  a  quarter  of  an  acre  to  one  acre  and  more  for  each  family,  with  800  bushels 
of  peas  and  beans,  have  been  provided.  These  seeds  have  been  distributed  on  the 
islands  and  to  every  applicant  from  the  mainland;  1,000  bushels  of  Irish  potato 
seed,  400  bushels  of  which  went  to  the  mainland;  1,800  bushels  of  seed  corn,  800 
bushels  of  this  distributed  on  the  mainland.  Those  provisions ,  together  with  a 
revival  of  the  phosphate  industries,  the  fish  in  the  rivers  and  their  boats  in  repair, 
have  served  to  make  the  30,000  vSea  Islanders,  whom  we  were  asked  to  take  charge 
of  nine  months  ago,  a  prosperous  and  self-heli^ing  people.  They  know  this  and 
realize  that  they  can  take  care  of  themselves,  and  we  cannot  but  regard  any  attempt 
at  throwing  them  again  upon  the  charities  of  the  outside  world  as  demoralizing, 
misleading  and  fatal  to  them,  as  a  self-supporting  and  independent  class  of  indus- 
trial people,  and  a  matter  which  should  concern  the  State  whose  wards  they  are. 
*  *****  * 

Clara  Barton. 
Charleston,  S.  C,  June  24,  1894. 


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THE  SKA  ISLANDS  HURRICANE.  273 

^^116  ^iiicrii|an  Rational  |{eil  %rona, 
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Febntary  26,  iSg^. 

Copy  of  Circular  Letter  Sent  to  Each  Clergyman  and  Committeeman  of  Our  Sea 
Island  Relief  IVork  the  Season  After  We  Came  Away  front  the  Islands. 

A'X.lthougli  the  claims  upon  our  time  are  more  than  we  can  meet  by  working 
all  the  (lay  and  much  of  the  night,  the  memory  and  the  interest  of  our  faithful 
Sea  Island  friends  with  whom  we  worked  last  year,  through  the  months  that  fol- 
lowed the  great  storm,  still  claim  much  of  our  thoughts. 

Another  planting  season  is  approaching,  and  we  are  hoping  that  your  people 
have  been  doing  the  preparatory  work  of  ditching  for  the  raising  of  good  crops. 
If  any  have  not  begun  this  work,  will  you  see  those  who  would  take  an  active 
interest  in  the  public  good,  like  yourself,  and  get  them  to  start  the  work  again  at 
once,  so  that  there  may  be  as  great  an  advance  over  last  year's  improvements  as 
last  year  was  over  previous  years. 

Get  the  neighbors  to  join  together  and  clean  out  the  old  ditches,  make  all  the 
new  main  ditches  and  canals  that  they  can,  and  then  make  the  smaller  ones  to 
connect  with  them;  this  will  help  to  give  them  better  health,  less  fever,  larger 
crops  and  better  ones. 

We  hope  they  will  give  particular  attention  to  their  gardens  and  have  even 
better  ones  this  year  than  they  did  last,  improving  each  season  by  experience  and  by 
learning  from  one  another,  particularly  from  those  who  have  been  most  successful. 

Dr.  Hubbell  has  made  a  list  of  seeds  profitable  to  plant,  in  two  groups,  as 
follows: 

For  EARI.Y  Pi,anting. 

Early  purple-top  strap-leaf  turnip,  early  cabbage,  lettuce,  rutabaga  turnips. 

In  a  hot-bed  or  in  a  protected  place,  where  they  can  be  covered  at  night  when 
it  is  cold,  the  cabbage  plants  and  tomato  plants  should  be  started  at  once,  to  be 
ready  for  transplanting  when  the  ground  is  warm. 

For  Planting  When  the  Time  for  Frost  is  Past. 

Early  Rose  potatoes,   onions  (sets  and  seed),  early  turnip,  blood  beet,  early 
corn,  English  peas,  snap  or  wax  beans,  bush   Lima  or  Sevier  beans,  early  squash, 
okra,  tomatoes,  carrots,  cucumbers,  collards,  late  cabbage,  taniers,  and  large  sugar 
beet  for  stock.     (Some  of  these  may  be  planted  in  the  field.) 
16 


274  THK   RED    CROSS. 

In  the  field  (with  corn  or  cotton)  pumpkins  and  large  squashes,  cantaloupes 
and  watermelons  may  be  planted. 

The  garden  should  be  well  fertilized  and  no  weeds  or  grass  allowed  to  grow. 
The  weeds  take  the  nourishment  from  the  plants,  use  up  and  waste  the  fertilizers. 

There  should  be  a  good  fence  to  keep  the  chickens  out;  then  the  garden,  with 
the  chickens  and  their  eggs,  will  furnish  most  of  a  good  living  for  a  family  until 
the  regular  crops  can  be  harvested  and  save  from  debt. 

A  good  garden  and  a  variety  of  crops  are  as  necessary  for  the  prosperity  of  a 
farmer  as  they  are  for  his  health. 

Every  Sea  Islander  should  plant  now  a  few  fig  cuttings  and  a  few  grape  cut- 
tings, and  such  fruit  trees  as  he  may  be  able  to  get;  peaches,  pears,  pecans.  In  a 
few  years  these  plantings  (if  protected  from  the  goats,  pigs  and  cattle)  will  give 
plentiful  fruit  through  the  "  dry  season  "  (particularly  the  fig),  and  the  grapes  and 
other  fruit  will  be  a  luxury  and  profit  in  their  sea.son,  besides  keeping  the  people 
in  health. 

With  good  ditches  everywhere,  with  plenty  of  vegetables  from  the  gardens, 
figs  and  grapes,  there  should  be  almost  no  sickness  on  those  prosperous  islands, 
and  every  one  should  be  happy. 

Regarding  the  other  crops,  as  cotton,  corn,  rice,  sweet  potatoes,  peanuts  and 
cow  peas,  the  people  should  be  encouraged  to  get  and  save  the  best  seed.  Select 
from  the  earliest  and  best  of  their  own  or  their  neighbor's  raising.  Fertilize  as 
much  as  possible  with  those  fertilizers  that  they  can  get  by  their  own  labor,  such 
as  marsh-grass,  sea  mud,  stable  compost,  fish,  oyster  shell  lime,  ashes,  etc.  (and 
some  commercial  fertilizer). 

They  should  strive  to  raise  the  best  of  everything.  The  best  yields  the  most 
for  the  same  labor,  and  brings  the  highest  price,  gives  the  greatest  satisfaction  to 
him  who  grows  it  and  him  who  buys  it.  That  means  prosperity,  which  we  wish 
for  you  all  in  largest  measure. 

Enjoin  the  people  to  keep  out  of  debt,  to  "  owe  no  man  anything;"  this  course 
.fill  make  the  road  of  honesty  and  integrity  easier  and  shorten  the  waj'  to 
plenty  and  prosperity;  speak  no  evil  of  thy  neighbor,  then  all  will  work  together 
happily  in  their  public  work  of  ditches,  bridges,  roads,  wells,  etc.,  and  live  happy 
in  their  homes. 

The  people  should  not  forget  the  fact  that  water  from  wells  not  thoroughly 
cleaned  will  breed  fever  and  other  sickness,  and  that  good  pure  water  will  in  a 
large  degree  keep  the  fever  off. 

To  encourage  the  general  continuance  of  this  w^ork  of  improvement  your 
people  so  readily  took  up  at  our  request  and  carried  on  of  yourselves  to  our  gratifi- 
cation and  to  the  astonishment  of  your  old-time  neighbors,  I  will  have  copies  of 
this  letter  sent  to  other  leading  Sea  Island  citizens,  thus  all  may  be  at  work  at  the 
same  time  and  all  will  receive  the  benefits  of  your  united  labors  by  lessened  sick- 
ness and  increased  crops. 

May  the  good  Lord  bless  the  efforts  of  a  faithful  people  is  the  wish  of 

Your  friend, 

Ci,ARA  Barton, 
President  of  the  A^nerican  Red  Cross. 


ARMENIA. 


N  November,  1895,  the  press  commenced  to  warn  us  of 
a  possible  call  for  the  relief  of  the  terrible  sufferings 
of  Armenia,  which  were  engaging  the  attention  of 
the  civilized  world.  These  warnings  were  followed 
later  by  a  letter  from  Rev.  Judson  Smith,  D.  D.,  of 
Boston,  secretary  of  the  American  Board  of  Com- 
missioners for  Foreign  Missions,  referring  his  sugges- 
tion back  to  Rev.  Henry  O.  Dwight,  D.  D.,  of  the 
American  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  at  Constanti- 
nople. The  American  Red  Cross  was  requested  by 
these  representative  gentlemen,  to  undertake  the  distribution  of  relief 
funds  among  the  sufferers  of  Armenia.  Owing  to  the  disturbed  condi- 
tion of  the  country  and  of  its  strict  laws,  combined  as  they  were  with 
existing  racial  and  religious  differences,  it  was  found  almost  impossible 
at  Lhe  moment  to  distribute  the  relief  needed.  The  faithful  but  dis- 
tressed resident  missionaries  were  themselves  helpless  sufferers  to  a 
great  extent  and  practically  prisoners  in  their  own  houses.  These  had 
not  always  been  spared  to  them  in  the  wild  excitement  which  reigned 
for  several  months  previous,  otherwise  they  would  have  been  the  nor- 
mal chainiels  for  distributing  aid.  This  written  request  from  Dr.  Smith 
was  nearly  identical  with  a  similar  one  from  Mr.  Spencer  Trask,  of  New 
York,  who,  with  others,  was  about  to  form  a  National  Armenian  Relief 
Committee,  to  be  established  in  that  city.  Following  their  letters, 
both  of  these  gentlemen.  Dr.  Smith  and  Mr.  Trask,  came  to  Washing- 
ton to  personally  urge  our  compliance  with  the  request  that  we  accept 
the  charge  of  this  distribution  of  relief  funds.  Accustomed  to  the 
trials,  responsibilities  and  hardships  of  field  relief  labor,  this  proposition 
seemed  something  to  be  shrunk  from  rather  than  accepted  and  we  natu- 
rally hesitated.  The  idea,  however,  became  public,  and  a  general 
importunity  on  the  part  of  the  people  became  prevalent.  The  necessity 
for  immediate  action  was  urged  ;  human  beings  were  starving  and  could 
not  be  reached,  hundreds  of  towns   and  villages   had   not  been  heard 

(275) 


276  THK    RKI)    CROSS. 

from  since  the  fire  and  sword  went  over  them,  and  no  one  else  was  so 
well  prepared  for  the  work  of  field  relief,  it  was  said,  as  ourselves.  It 
was  urged  that  we  had  a  trained  force  of  field  workers,  and  as  Turkey 
was  one  of  the  signatory  powers  to  the  Red  Cross  Treaty  of  Geneva, 
having  given  its  adhesion  as  long  ago  as  July,  1865,  it  must  conse- 
quently be  familiar  with  its  methods  and  humanitarian  ideas.  Thus  it 
was  hoped  that  she  would  the  more  readily  accept  its  presence  than 
that  of  a  more  strange  body  of  workers.  These  are  only  a  shadowing 
of  the  reasons  urged  on  behalf  of  our  acceptance.  Under  this  pressure, 
coupled  with  our  strong  sympathies,  the  subject  was  taken  into  serious 
consideration  with  the  simple  demand  on  our  part  of  two  positive 
assurances:  First,  we  must  be  assured  by  the  committees  that  we  were 
the  choice  of  the  people  of  the  entire  country,  that  there  was  no  oppo- 
sition to  us,  and  that  there  was  perfect  unanimity  between  themselves; 
there  must  be  nowhere  any  discord;  the  task  would  be  difficult  enough 
under  the  best  conditions.  Second,  that  they  had  the  funds  to  dis- 
tribute. Assured  on  both  these  points,  our  promise  was  given  that  we 
would  go  and  do  our  best  to  make  the  desired  distribution  in  the  inte- 
rior of  Asia  Minor. 

With  this  ray  of  hope  that  something  might  be  done,  the  pent-up 
sympathies  of  the  people  burst  forth.  Public  meetings  were  held, 
addresses  made,  Armenian  conditions  estimated,  horrors  reproduced, 
responsibilities  placed,  causes  canvassed,  and  opinions  expressed; 
honest,  humane,  and  entirely  natural,  precisely  the  course  to  rouse 
public  sentiment  and  indignation,  if  that  were  the  only  or  the  main 
object  in  view.  In  consideration,  however,  of  the  relief  effort,  it  was 
of  questionable  wisdom  perhaps,  when  it  is  borne  in  mind  that  we  had 
yet  to  ask  the  opening  of  a  door  hitherto  closed  against  the  world, 
when  we  needed  permission  to  enter,  in  order  to  reach  the  starving 
sufferers  with  the  relief  that  was  planning  for  them.  In  the  enthusiasm 
of  the  hour,  this  fact  seemed  to  be  entirely  lost  sight  of.  It  also 
seemed  to  be  forgotten  that  if  this  difficult  and  delicate  task  were  to  be 
assigned  to  the  Red  Cross  and  its  officers,  that  the  making  of  their 
mission  or  of  themselves  personally,  prominent  or  laudatory  features  of 
public  gatherings  where  Ottoman  officials  or  representatives  were 
always  listeners,  could  not  fail  to  render  the  post  more  difficult,  and 
prospects  of  success  more  doubtful. 

The  international  and  neutral  character  of  the  Red  Cross,  as  a 
medium  of  relief  in  mitigation  of  war  or  overwhelming  calamity, 
appeared  to  be  overlooked  or  wholly  misunderstood.  It  was  not  recog- 
nized th^*"  only  by  abstaining  from  discordant  opinions  could  we  be  in 


ARMENIA.  277 

a  position  to  perform  our  work.  By  the  obligations  of  the  Geneva 
Treaty,  all  national  controversies,  racial  distinctions,  and  differences  in 
creed  must  be  held  in  abeyance  and  only  the  needs  of  humanity  con- 
sidered. In  this  spirit  alone  can  the  Red  Cross  meet  its  obligations  as 
the  representative  of  the  nations  and  governments  of  the  world  acting 
under  it.  But  American  enthusiasm  is  boundless,  and  its  expression 
limitless;  and  the  same  breath  that  crushed  the  Ottoman  Empire, 
scattered  it  to  the  winds  or  sunk  it  in  the  lowest  depths,  elevated 
the  Red  Cross  and  its  proposed  relief  out  of  sight  among  the  clouds. 
Precautionary  remonstrance  from  us  was  in  vain,  but  it  was  not 
until  after  we  had  publicly  given  our  consent,  made  all  arrangements 
and  appointed  our  aids,  that  the  fruits  of  these  ardent  demonstra- 
tions became  visible  in  a  pronunciamento  through  the  Turkish  Min- 
ister resident  at  Washington,  prohibiting  the  Red  Cross  from  entering 
Turkey. 

I  found  this  decision  on  the  part  of  the  Bey  and  his  government 
very  natural  and  politically  justifiable— our  own  government  and  peo- 
ple would  probably  have  done  the  same  or  even  more  under  similar  con- 
ditions, provided  similar  conditions  could  have  existed  among  them.  I 
was  ready  to  abide  by  the  decision  and  remain  at  home.  This,  neither 
people  nor  committees,  would  consent  to.  Of  course  our  selected  force 
of  more  than  a  score  of  trained  and  experienced  field  workers,  each  a 
specialist,  must  be  given  up.  If  any  relief  were  now  attempted  it  could 
only  be  individual,  with  two  or  three  officers  from  headquarters  as 
indispensable  aids. 

Previous  to  the  announcement  of  the  Turkish  Minister  prohibiting 
the  Red  Cross  from  entering  Turkey,  the  promise  had  been  gained  from 
us  to  leave  by  the  steamship  "  New  York  "  on  the  twenty-second  of 
January,  and  notwithstanding  the  reply  to  a  cablegram  from  the  De- 
partment of  State  to  Constatitinople,  asking  if  the  prohibition  against 
the  entrance  of  the  Red  Cross  was  really  official  and  from  the  govern- 
ment itself,  or  but  semi-official,  had  not  been  received,  our  promise  was 
kept  and  we  sailed  with  this  uncertainty  resting  over  us. 

The  picture  of  that  scene  is  still  vivid  in  my  memory.  Crowded 
piers,  wild  with  hurrahs,  white  with  parting  salutes,  hearts  beating 
with  exultation  and  expectation — a  little  shorn  band  of  five,  prohibited, 
unsustained  either  by  govennnent  or  other  authority,  destined  to  a  port 
five  thousand  miles  away,  from  approach  to  which  even  the  powers  of 
the  world  had  shrunk.  What  was  it  expected  to  do  or  how  to  do  it? 
Visions  of  Don  Quixote  and  his  windmills  loomed  up,  as  I  turned  away 
and  wondered. 


278  THE   RED   CROSS. 

A  week  at  sea,  to  be  met  at  midnight  at  Southampton,  by  messen- 
ger down  from  London,  to  say  that  the  prohibition  was  sustained,  the 
Red  Cross  was  forbidden,  but  that  sucli  persons  as  our  minister,  Mr. 
Terrell,  would  appoint,  would  be  received.  Here  was  another  delicate 
uncertainty  which  could  not  be  committed  to  Ottoman  telegraph,  and 
Dr.  Hubbell  was  dispatched  alone  to  Constantinople  (while  we  waited 
in  London)  to  learn  from  Mr.  Terrell  his  attitude  toward  ourselves  and 
our  mission.  Under  favorable  responses  we  proceeded,  and  reached 
CotLStantinople  on  February  15;  met  a  most  cordial  reception  from  all 
our  own  government  officials,  and  located />r(7  tern,  at  Pera  Palace  Hotel; 
it  being  so  recently  after  the  Stamboul  massacres  that  no  less  public 
place  was  deemed  safe. 

The  following  day  we  received  in  a  body  the  members  of  the  Mis- 
sionary Board  in  Constantinople,  including  its  treasurer,  W.  W.  Peet, 
Esq. ,  and  Dr.  Washburn,  president  of  Robert  College,  and  here  com- 
menced that  friendly  intercourse  which  continued  without  interruption, 
strengthening  as  the  days  wore  on  through  the  half  year  that  followed, 
till  moistened  eyes  and  warm  hand-grasp  at  parting  told  more  plainly 
than  words  how  fraught  with  confidence  that  intercourse  had  been.  If 
one  would  look  for  peers  of  this  accomplished  Christian  body  of  our 
countrymen,  they  would  only  be  found  in  the  noble  band  of  women, 
who,  as  wives,  mothers  and  teachers,  aid  their  labors  and  share  their 
hardships,  privations  and  dangers.  I  shall  always  feel  it  a  privilege 
and  an  honor  to  have  been  called,  even  in  a  small  way,  to  assist  the 
efforts  of  this  chosen  body  of  our  countrymen  and  women,  whose 
faithful  and  devoted  lives  are  made  sacred  to  the  service  of  God  and 
their  fellow  men. 

The  first  step  was  to  procure  an  introduction  to  the  government 
which  had  in  one  sense  refused  me  ;  and  accompained  by  Minister  Ter- 
lell  and  his  premier  interpreter,  Gargiulo,  perhaps  the  longest  serving 
and  one  of  the  most  experienced  diplomatic  officers  in  Constantinople, 
I  called  by  appointment  upon  Tewfik  Pasha,  the  Turkish  Minister  of 
Foreign  Affairs  or  Minister  of  State.  To  those  conversant  with  the 
personages  connected  with  Turkish  affairs,  I  need  not  say  that  Tewfik 
Pasha  is  probably  the  foremost  man  of  the  government;  a  manly  man, 
with  a  kind,  fine  face,  and  genial,  polished  manners.  Educated 
abroad,  with  advanced  views  on  general  subjects,  he  impresses  one  as  a 
man  who  would  sanction  no  wrong  it  was  in  his  power  to  avert. 

We  were  received  at  the  Department  of  State  in  an  uninterrupted 
interview  lasting  over  an  hour.  As  this  was  the  main  interview  and 
the  base  of  all  our  work,  it  is  perhaps  proper  that  I  give  it  somewhat 


ARMENIA.  279 

in  detail.  Mr.  Terrell's  introduction  was  most  appropriate  and  well 
expressed,  bearing  with  strong  emphasis  upon  the  suffering  condition  of 
the  people  of  the  interior  in  consequence  of  the  massacres,  and  the 
great  sympathy  of  the  people  of  America,  their  intense  desire  to  help 
them,  the  heartfelt  interest  in  their  missionaries  whose  burdens  were 
greater  than  they  ought  to  bear,  and  the  desire  to  aid  them,  and  that 
for  all  these  reasons  we  had  been  asked  to  come;  that  our  objects  were 
purely  humanitarian,  having  neither  political,  racial,  nor  religious  bear- 
ing; that  as  the  head  of  the  organization  thus  represented  I  could 
have  no  other  ideas,  and  it  was  the  privilege  of  putting  these  ideas  into 
practice  and  the  protection  required  meanwhile  that  the  people  of 
America,  through  him  and  through  me,  were  asking. 

The  Pasha  listened  most  attentively  to  the  speech  of  Mr.  Terrell, 
thanked  him,  and  replied  that  this  was  well  understood;  that  they  knew 
the  Red  Cross  and  its  president,  and,  turning  to  me,  repeated:  "We 
know  you,  Miss  Barton;  have  long  known  you  and  j'our  work.  We 
would  like  to  hear  your  plans  for  relief  and  what  you  desire." 

I  proceeded  to  state  them,  bearing  fully  upon  the  fact  that  the  con- 
dition to  which  the  people  of  the  interior  of  Asia  Minor  had  been 
reduced  by  recent  events  had  aroused  the  sympathy  of  the  entire 
American  people  until  they  asked,  almost  to  the  extent  of  a  demand, 
that  assistance  from  them  should  be  allowed  to  go  directly  to  these 
sufferers,  hundreds  of  whom  had  friends  and  relatives  in  America — a 
fact  which  naturally  strengthened  both  the  interest  and  the  demand; 
that  it  was  at  the  request  of  our  people,  en  masse,  that  I  and  a  few 
assistants  had  come;  that  our  object  would  be  to  use  the  funds  our- 
selves among  the  people  needing  them  wherever  they  were  found,  in 
helping  them  to  resume  their  former  positions  and  avocations,  thus 
relieving  them  from  continued  distress,  the  State  from  the  burden  of 
providing  for  them,  and  other  nations  and  people  from  a  torrent  of 
sympathy  which  was  both  hard  to  endure  and  unwholesome  in  its 
effects;  that  I  had  brought  skilled  agents,  practical  and  experienced 
farmers  whose  first  efforts  would  be  to  get  the  people  back  to  their 
deserted  fields  and  provide  them  with  farming  implements  and  material 
wherewith  to  put  in  summer  crops  and  thus  enable  them  to  feed  them- 
selves. These  would  embrace  plows,  hoes,  spades,  seed-corn,  wheat, 
and  later,  sickles,  scythes,  etc.,  for  harvesting,  with  which  to  save  the 
miles  of  autumn  grain  which  we  had  heard  of  as  growing  on  the  great 
plains  already  in  the  ground  before  the  trouble;  also  to  provide  for 
them  such  cattle  and  other  animals  as  it  would  be  possible  to  purchase 
or  to  get  back;  that  if  .some  such  thing  were  not  done  before  another 


2So  THE   RED   CROSS. 

winter,  unless  we  had  been  greatly  misinformed,  the  suffering  there  would 
shock  the  entire  civilized  world.  None  of  us  knew  from  personal  observa- 
tions, as  yet,  the  full  need  of  assistance,  but  had  reason  to  believe  it 
very  great.  That  if  my  agents  were  permitted  to  go,  such  need  as 
they  found  they  would  be  prompt  to  relieve.  On  the  other  hand,  if 
they  did  not  fihd  the  need  existing  there,  none  would  leave  the  field  so 
gladly  as  they.  There  would  be  no  respecting  of  persons;  humanity 
alone  would  be  their  guide.  "  We  have,"  I  added,  "  brought  only  our- 
selves, no  correspondent  has  accompanied  us,  and  we  .shall  have  none, 
and  shall  not  go  home  to  write  a  book  on  Turkey.  We  are  not  here 
for  that.  Nothing  shall  be  done  in  any  concealed  manner.  All  dis- 
patches which  we  send  will  go  openly  through  your  own  telegraph, 
and  I  should  be  glad  if  all  that  we  shall  write  could  be  seen  by  your 
government.  I  cannot,  of  course,  say  what  its  character  will  be,  but 
can  vouch  for  its  truth,  fairness  and  integrity,  and  for  the  conduct  of 
every  leading  man  who  shall  be  sent.  I  shall  never  counsel  nor  per- 
mit a  sly  or  underhand  action  with  your  government,  and  you  will 
pardon  me.  Pasha,  if  I  say  that  I  shall  expect  the  same  treatment  in 
return — such  as  I  give  I  shall  expect  to  receive." 

Almost  without  a  breath  he  replied — "  And  you  shall  have  it.  We 
honor  your  position  and  your  wishes  will  be  respected.  Such  aid  and 
protection  as  we  are  able  to,  we  shall  render." 

I  then  asked  if  it  were  necessary  for  me  to  see  other  officials.  "  No," 
he  replied,  "  I  speak  for  my  government;  "  and  with  cordial  good 
wishes,  our  interview  closed. 

I  never  spoke  personally  with  this  gentleman  again;  all  further 
business  being  officially  transacted  through  the  officers  of  our  Lega- 
tion. Yet  I  can  truly  say,  as  I  have  said  of  my  first  meeting  with  our 
matchless  band  of  missionary  workers,  that  here  commenced  an 
acquaintance  which  proved  invaluable,  and  here  were  given  pledges  of 
mutual  faith  of  which  not  a  word  was  ever  broken  or  invalidated  on 
either  side,  and  to  which  I  owe  what  we  were  able  to  do  through  all 
Asia  Minor.  It  is  to  the  strong  escorts  ordered  from  the  Sublime 
Porte  for  our  expeditions  and  men,  that  I  owe  the  fact  that  they  all 
came  back  to  me,  and  that  I  bring  them  home  to  you,  tired  and  worn, 
but  saved  and  useiul  still. 

Dr.  Hubbell,  and  the  leaders  of  the  five  expeditions  tell  us  that 
they  were  never,  even  for  a  portion  of  a  day,  without  an  escort  for  pro- 
tection, and  this  at  the  expense  of  the  Turkish  Government,  and 
that  without  this  protection  they  must  not  and  could  not  have  pro- 
ceeded. 


RED   CROSS   HEADQUARTERS,  CONSTANTINOPLE. 


VIEW   FROM   RED    CROSS   HEADQUARTERS,  CONSTANTINOPI.E. 


TURKISH    CEMETERY. 


ARMENIA.  283 

This  interview  with  Tewfik  Pasha  was  equal  to  a  permit.  Both 
Minister  Terrell  and  myself  cabled  it  to  America  as  such.  Dr.  Hubbell, 
as  general  field  agent,  commenced  at  once  to  fit  himself  for  a  passage 
by  the  Black  Sea,  through  Sivas  to  Harpoot.  He  had  engaged  a  drago- 
man and  assistants,  and  with  Ernest  Mason,  who  went  with  us  as 
Oriental  linguist,  was  prepared  to  ship  next  day,  when  at  Selamlik  I 
was  officially  waited  upon  by  a  court  chamberlain  who  informed  me 
that  although  greatly  regretting  it,  they  were  compelled  to  ask  me  to 
delay  my  expedition,  in  order  to  giv^e  the  government  time  to  translate 
and  read  some  of  the  immense  quantities  of  newspaper  matter  which 
was  being  thrown  in  upon  them  from  America,  and  which  from  its  con- 
text appeared  to  be  ofiicial,  representing  all  our  State  governors  as 
engaged  in  a  general  move  against  Turkey,  and  that  the  chief  seat  of 
operations  was  the  National  Capitol.  The  Chamberlain  tried  by  motions 
to  show  me  that  there  were  bushels  of  papers,  and  that  it  was  impos- 
sible for  them  to  translate  them  at  once;  that  if  they  prove  to  be  official 
as  appeared  by  the  great  names  connected  with  them,  it  was  imperative 
that  the  government  consider  them;  but  if  it  proved  to  be  mere  newspaper 
talk  it  was  of  no  consequence,  and  I  was  begged  to  delay  until  they 
could  investigate.  Having  recer  ed  some  specimens  myself,  I  did  not 
wonder  at  this  request,  I  only  w  ondered  at  the  kindly  courtesy  with 
which  it  was  made.  I  will  take  the  liberty  of  inserting  one  of  the  clip- 
pings which  I  had  received  as  a  sample  of  what  Turkey  had  to  con- 
sider. This  is  only  one  among  scores,  which  had  ied  me  to  consider 
how,  with  these  representations,  we  were  ever  to  get  any  further: 

PRO-ARMENIAN  ALLIANCE. 

ITS   WORK     To     BK     EXTENDED     TO    THE     REMOTEST     SECTIONS     OF    THE    UNITED 
STATES— GOVERNORS   OK  ST.\TES   WILL   AID. 

[Special  dispatch  to  the  Sunday  Herald.'\ 

Washington,  D.  C,  February  S,  iSi)6. 

The  pro-Armenian  Alliance,  with  headquarters  in  this  city,  .says  the  Even- 
ing News,  which  is  working  hand  in  glove  with  Miss  Clara  Barton  and  the  Red 
Cross  Society  for  the  relief  of  the  Armenians,  is  rapidly  completing  arrangements 
for  extending  its  work  to  the  remotest  sections  of  the  United  States.  The  per- 
manent organization  of  the  alliance  was  perfected  in  this  city  a  little  over  a 
week  ago,  when  the  following  ofTicers  were  elected:  President,  R.  S.  Tharin; 
vice-presidents,  P.  Sunderland,  I).  D. ,  and  I.  E.  Gilljcrt,  D.  D.  ;  secretary,  H. 
L.  Sargent;  treasurer,  F.  A.  Stier. 

Within  a  few  days  the  broadest  promulgation  of  a  pamphlet  prepared  by  the 
alliance  will  begin. 


284  THE   RED   CROSS. 

On  the  title  page  of  the  little  book,  will  appear  these  unique  mottoes:  "God 
igainst  Allah,  Christ  against  Mohammed,  Bible  against  Koran,  Heaven  against 
Hcli:" 

It  is  proposed  to  i)rocced  at  once  with  the  organization  of  local  alliances 
throughout  the  Union,  any  per.>,on  connected  with  a  Christian  organization  or 
society,  regardless  of  denomination,  being  eligible  to  membership. 


The  headquarters  of  the  alliance  at  the  National  Hotel  are  open  from  ten  to 
twelve  o'clock. 

It  is  intended  to  send  out  about  two  million  of  the  pamphlets  explaining 
the  purposes  of  the  alliance,  in  lots  of  two  hundred  thousand  or  more.  The 
delegates  to  the  national  convention  will  be  selected  by  the  different  local  clubs. 

Well  knowing,  however,  that  investigation  would  show  no  trace 
of  government  or  other  official  authority,  we  decided  to  lose  no  time, 
but  to  prepare  ourselves  for  work  at  the  earliest  moment;  and  taking 
up  the  role  of  merchants,  went  into  Stamboul,  and  purchased  from  the 
great  wholesale  houses,  immense  quantities  of  such  material  as  could 
not  fail  of  being  useful  and  needed,  to  be  later  taken  by  caravans  into 
the  interior. 

Just  at  this  interval,  a  request  was  brought  to  me  by  Dr.  Washburn, 
of  Robert  College,  from  Sir  Philip  Currie,  English  ambassador,  asking 
if  I  could  not  be  "persuaded"  to  turn  my  expedition  through  the 
Mediterranean,  rather  than  the  Black  Sea,  in  order  to  reach  Marasli 
and  Zeitoun,  where  the  foreign  consuls  were  at  the  moment  convened. 
They  had  gotten  word  to  him  that  ten  thousand  people  in  those  two 
cities  were  down  with  four  distinct  epidemics — typhoid  and  typhus 
fevers,  dysentery  and  smallpox — that  the  victims  were  dying  in  over- 
whelming numbers  and  that  there  was  not  a  physician  among  them, 
all  being  either  sick  or  dead,  with  no  medicines  and  little  food.  This 
was  not  a  case  for  "  perstiasion,"  but  of  heartfelt  thanks  from  us  all 
that  Sir  Philip  had  remembered  to  call  us  whom  he  had  never  met.  But 
here  was  a  hindrance.  The  only  means  of  conveyance  from  Constan- 
tinople to  Alexandretta  were  coasting  boats,  belonging  to  different 
nationalities,  and  which  left  only  once  in  two  weeks  and  irregularly  at 
that.  Transport  for  our  goods  was  secured  on  the  first  boat  to  leave, 
the  goods  taken  to  the  wharf  at  Galata,  and  at  the  latest  moment  in 
order  to  give  time,  a  request  was  made  to  the  government  for  ieskeres 
or  traveling  permits  for  Dr.  Hubbell  and  assistants.  To  our  surprise 
they  were  granted  instantly,  but  by  some  delay  on  the  part  of  the 
messenger  sent  for  them,  they  reached  a  moment  too  late  ;  the  boat  left 
a  little  more  than  promptl}',  taking  with  it  our  relief  goods,  and  leaving 


ARMENIA.  285 

the  men  on  the  dock  to  receive  their  permits  only  when  the  boat  was 
beyond  recall.  It  was  really  the  fault  of  no  one.  With  the  least 
possible  delay  the  doctor  secured  passage  by  the  first  boat  to  Smyrna, 
and  a  fortunate  chance  boat  from  there,  took  him  to  Alexandretta,  via 
Beyrout  and  Tripoli,  Syria.  The  goods  arrived  in  safety  and  two 
other  of  our  assistants,  whom  we  had  called  by  cable  from  America, 
Messrs.  Edward  M.  Wistar  and  Charles  King  Wood,  were  also  passed 
over  to  the  same  point  with  more  goods.  There  caravans  were  fitted 
out  to  leave  over  the,  to  them,  unknown  track  to  Aintab,  as  a  first 
base.  From  this  point  the  reports  of  each  of  these  gentlemen  made  to 
me  and  compiled  with  this,  will  be  living  witnesses.  I  leave  them  to 
tell  their  own  modest  tales  of  exposure,  severe  travel,  hard  work  and 
hardship,  of  which  no  word  of  complaint  has  ever  passed  their  lips. 
There  has  been  only  gratitude  and  jo}^  that  they  could  do  something 
in  a  cause  at  once  so  great  and  so  terrible. 

These  little  changes  and  accidents  of  travel,  of  not  the  slightest 
importance  or  concern  to  any  one  but  ourselves,  were  naturally  picked 
up  and  cabled  to  America  as  "news."  The  naming  of  the  mere  facts, 
with  neither  explanations  nor  reasons  assigned,  could  not  be  under- 
stood and  only  created  confusion  in  the  minds  of  the  readers.  They 
must,  nevertheless,  be  accepted  by  our  reporters,  circulated  and  dis- 
cussed by  our  anxious  people  and  perplexed  committees. 

The  transcript  of  a  paragraph  from  a  letter  received  from  America, 
March  25,  will  serve  to  recall,  at  this  late  date,  something  of  the  state 
of  feeling  at  the  moment  prevailing  in  America: 

Great  doubt  and  dissatisfaction  is  felt  here  at  the  changeable  course  you 
seem  to  pursue — why  you  should  propose  to  go  first  to  the  Black  Sea,  then  to 
the  Mediterranean,  then  not  at  all.  Why  to  Smyrna,  then  to  Alexandretta, 
points  where  nothing  is  the  matter  and  no  help  needed?  They  feel  that  you  do 
not  understand  your  own  course,  or  are  being  deceived — will  never  get  into  the 
country — a  fact  which,  it  is  said,  is  clearly  seen  here. 

To  further  elucidate  the  intense  feeling  in  our  sympathetic  country 
we  give  a  few  sentences  from  other  letters  received  at  that  time: 

What  are  those  folks  doing  over  there?  First  we  hear  they  are  going  to 
Harpoot  by  the  Black  Sea,  next  they  have  gone  to  Smyrna;  there  is  nothing 
thematter  at  Smyrna;  next  to  Alexandretta ;  what  have  they  gone  there  for?  that 
is  no  place  to  go;  any  one  can  go  to  Alexandretta.  They  don't  seem  to  know 
what  they  are  about.  They  will  never  get  into  the  country;  we  .said  so  when 
they  went;  they  ought  to  have  known  better  themselves;  we  knew  the  Sultan 
would  forbid  them,  as  he  has;  they  are  only  being  duped. 


286  THK    RED    CROSS. 

Unpleasant  and  somewhat  ludicrous  as  these  criticisms  were  they 
served  a  purpose  in  coining  back  to  us,  as  by  them  we  were  able  to 
understand  more  full}'  the  cables  which  had  preceded  them.  "  Give  us 
news  in  full  of  your  doings,  it  is  important  that  we  know,"  Every 
cable  was  answered  with  all  the  news  we  could  send  by  that  costly 
method. 

I  had  asked  permission  and  escort  for  two  caravans  from  Alexan- 
dretta,  but  had  learned  later  from  them  that  they  would  unite  and  go 
together  to  Aintab,  in  company  with  the  Rev.  Dr.  Fuller,  of  that  city, 
who  requires  no  introduction  to  the  missionary  or  religious  world.  At 
this  junction  Mr.  Gargiulo,  of  the  legation,  came  to  me  in  great  haste 
(he  having  been  sent  for  by  the  Sublime  Porte)  to  know  where  ourexpe" 
ditions  were.  They  had  provided  for  two  and  could  only  get  trace  of 
one;  where  was  the  other?  Please  get  definite  information  and  let  them 
know  at  once.  I  had  served  on  too  many  battlefields  not  to  understand 
what  this  meant.  I  knew  our  men  were  in  danger  somewhere  and  some 
one  was  trying  to  protect  them,  and  sent  back  the  fullest  information 
that  there  was  but  one  expedition  out,  and  waited.  Two  days  later  came 
the  news  of  the  massacre  at  Killis  by  the  Circassians.  Killis  lay 
directly  in  their  track,  unknown  to  them,  and  the  Turkish  troops  had 
unexpectedly  come  up  and  taken  them  on.  I  can  perhaps,  at  this  dis- 
tant date,  give  no  more  correct  note  of  this,  and  the  condition  of  things 
as  found,  than  by  an  extract  from  a  letter  written  by  me  at  the  time  to 
our  world's  friend  and  mine,  Frances  Willard.  We  were  at  this  moment 
securing  the  medical  expedition  for  Marash  and  Zeitoun: 


Dear  Frances  Willard  :  .  .  .  .  May  I  also  send  a  message  by  you 
to  our  people,  to  j'our  people  and  my  people;  in  the  name  of  your  God  and  my 
God,  ask  them  not  to  be  discouraged  in  the  good  work  they  have  undertaken. 
My  heart  would  grow  faint  and  words  fail,  were  I  to  attempt  to  tell  them  the 
woes  and  the  needs  of  these  Christian  martyrs.  But  what  need  to  tell?  They 
already  know  what  words  can  say — alone,  bereft,  forsaken,  sick  and  heartbroken, 
without  food,  raiment  or  shelter,  on  the  snow-piled  mountain  sides  and  along 
the  smoking  valleys  they  wander  and  linger  and  perish.  What  more  should  I 
say  to  our  people,  but  to  show  them  the  picture  of  what  they  themselves  have 
already  done. 

The  scores  of  holy  men  and  women  sustained  by  them,  with  prayers  in  their 
hearts,  tears  in  their  voices,  hovering  like  angels  and  toiling  like  slaves,  along 
all  these  borders  of  misery  and  woe,  counting  peril  as  gain  and  death  as  naught, 
so  it  is  in  His  Name.  But  here  another  picture  rises;  as  if  common  woe  were 
not  enough,  the  angel  of  disease  flaps  his  black  wings  like  a  pall,  and  in  once 
bright  Zeitoun  and  Marash  contagion  reigns.  By  scores,  by  hundreds,  they  die ; 
no  help,  no  medicine,  no  skill,  little  food,  and  the  last  yard  of  cotton  gone  to 


ARMENIA.  287 

cover  the  sick  and  dying.  To  whom  came  the  cry,  "Help  or  we  perish!  Send 
us  physicians!"  The  contributed  gifts  of  America  open  the  doors  of  classic 
Beyrout,  and  Ira  Harris,  with  his  band  of  doctors,  speeds  his  way.  In  Eskand- 
aroon  sleep  the  waiting  caravans.  The  order  conies,  "Arise  and  go!  henceforth 
your  way  is  clear."  Camels  heavy  laden,  not  with  ivory  and  jewels,  gold  in 
the  ingot  and  silk  in  the  bales,  but  food  and  raiment  for  the  starving,  the  sick, 
and  the  dying.  Onward  they  sweep  toward  dread  Killi.s — the  wild  tribe's 
knives  before,  the  Moslem  troops  behind — "go  on!  we  protect;"  till  at  length 
the  spires  of  Aintab  rise  in  view.  Weary  the  camels  and  weary  the  men — Ilub- 
bell,  r'ullcr,  Wistar,  Wood,  JMason — names  that  should  live  in  story  for  the  brave 
deeds  of  that  march  but  just  begun.  The  quick,  glad  cry  of  welcome  of  a  city 
that  had  known  but  terror,  sorrow  and  neglect  for  months — a  little  rest,  help 
given,  and  over  the  mountains  deep  in  snow,  weary  and  worn  their  caravans  go, 
toiling  on  toward  fever  and  death.  Let  us  leave  them  to  their  task.  This  is 
the  work  of  America's  people  abroad.  My  message,  through  you,  to  her  people 
at  home — not  to  her  small  and  poor,  but  to  her  rich  and  powerful  people,  is, 
remember  this  picture  and  be  not  weary  in  well  doing. 

CiyARA  Barton. 

While  the  first  and  second  expeditions  were  fitting  out  from  Alex- 
andretta,  the  terrible  state  of  things  at  Zeitoun  and  Marash  was  con- 
firmed by  the  leading  missionaries  there,  and  we  were  asked  to  assume 
the  expen.se  of  physicians,  druggists,  medicines  and  medical  relief  in 
general.  This  we  were  only  too  glad  to  do.  Negotiations  had  already 
been  opened  by  them  with  Dr.  George  E.  Post,  of  Beyrotit,  the  glorfous 
outcome  of  which  was  the  going  out  of  Dr.  Ira  Harris,  of  Tripoli, 
Syria,  with  his  corps  of  local  physicians,  and  the  marvelous  results 
achieved.  For  some  cause  the  doctor  took  the  route  via  Adana,  rather 
than  by  Alexandretta,  and  found  himself  in  the  midst  of  an  unsafe 
country  with  insufficient  escort.  After  a  delay  of  two  or  three  days,  he 
got  a  dispatch  to  us  at  Constantinople.  This  di.spatch  was  immediately 
sent  through  our  legation  to  the  Porte,  and  directly  returned  to  me 
with  the  written  assurance  that  the  proper  steps  had  been  instantly 
taken.  On  the  same  day  Dr.  Harris  left  Adana  with  a  military  escort 
that  took  his  expedition  through,  leaving  it  only  when  safe  in  Marash, 

Dr.  Hubbell  had  arrived  some  days  previous,  but  following  instruc- 
tions left  immediately  on  the  arrival  of  Dr.  Harris,  to  pursue  his  inves- 
tigations in  the  villages,  and  supply  the  general  need  of  the  people 
wherever  found.  This  formed  really  the  fourth  expedition  in  the  field 
at  that  early  date,  as  the  separate  charges  later  so  efficiently  assumed 
by  Messrs.  Wi.star  and  Wood,  who  were  on  the  ground  previous  to  the 
medical  expedition,  became  known  as  the  second  and  third  expeditions. 

It  will  be  inferred  that  the  assignment,  furnishing  and  direction  of 
these  several  expeditions,  nearly  a  thousand  miles  distant,  four  weeks 


288  THE    RKD   CROSS. 

by  personal  travel,  six  weeks  to  write  a  letter  and  get  reply,  from  two 
days  to  almost  any  time  by  telegraph,  according  to  the  condition  of  the 
wires,  and  in  any  language  from  Turkish  and  Greek  to  Arabic,  with  all 
other  duties  immediately  surrounding,  could  not  leave  large  leisure  for 
home  correspondence.  While  conscious  of  a  restlessness  on  this  score, 
we  began  to  be  mystified  by  the  nature  and  text  of  dispatches  from 
committees  at  home:  "  Contributors  object  to  Turkish  distribution." 
What  could  it  mean  ?  We  could  onl)'  reply:  ' '  Do  not  understand  your 
dispatch.  Please  explain."  These  were  followed  by  others  of  a  similar 
character  from  other  sources;  finally  letters  expressing  great  regret  at 
the  means  to  which  I  had  been  compelled  to  resort  in  order  to  accom- 
plish my  distribution,  and  the  disastrous  effect  it  could  not  fail  to  have 
upon  the  raising  of  funds.  "  Well,  it  was  probably  the  only  wa}'  to  do, 
they  had  expected  it,  in  fact,  foretold  it  all  the  time." — What  had  I  done? 
The  myster)^  deepened-  Finally,  through  the  waste  of  waters  and  the 
lapse  of  time  it  got  to  me. — A  little  four-line  cablegram  from  Constant! 
nople  as  follows: 

The  council  of  ministers  has  decided  that  Miss  Clara  Barton  can  work  only 
in  conjunction  with  the  Turkish  Commission  in  the  distribution  of  relief,  and 
can  only  use  their  lists  of  destitute  Armenians.  An  Irade  to  that  effect  is  ex- 
pected. 

No  one  had  thought  to  inquire  if  this  statement  were  trice,  no  one 
had  referred  it  to  me,  and  as  well  as  I  ought  to  be  known  by  our  people, 
the  question  if  I  would  be  likely  to  take  such  a  step,  seems  not  to  have 
been  raised.  It  had  been  taken  for  granted  through  all  America,  Eng- 
land, and  even  the  Missionary  Boards  of  Turkey,  that  I  had  pledged 
myself  and  signed  papers,  to  distribute  the  funds  entrusted  to  me,  under 
Turkish  inspection  and  from  lists  furnished  by  Turkish  officials. 
Myself  and  my  officers  appeared  to  be  the  only  persons  who  had  never 
heard  of  it.  Astonished  and  pained  beyond  measure  it  was  plainly  and 
emphatically  denied. 

Our  press  books  of  that  date  are  marvels  of  denial.  Sir  Philip 
Currie  and  the  Turkish  Government  itself,  came  to  the  rescue,  declar- 
ing that  no  such  course  was  ever  intended.  Secretary  Olney  was  cabled 
to  try  ' '  to  make  the  people  of  America  understand  that  the  Turkish 
Government  did  not  interfere  with  their  distribution."  In  spite  of  all 
this,  it  went  on  until  people  and  committees  were  discouraged  ;  the  lat- 
ter cabling  that  in  the  present  state  of  feeling  little  or  nothing  more  could 
be  expected,  and  gently  suggesting  the  propriety  of  sending  the  balance 


ARMENIA.  289 

in  hand  to  other  parties  for  distribution.  My  own  National  Red  Cross 
officers  in  America,  hurt  and  disgusted  at  the  unjust  form  affairs  were 
taking,  in  sympathy,  advised  the  leaving  of  the  field  and  returning 
home. 

Here  was  a  singular  condition  of  affairs.  A  great  international 
work  of  relief,  every  department  of  which  was  succeeding  beyond  all 
expectation,  wherein  no  mistakes  had  been  made,  letters  of  gratitude 
and  blessing  pouring  in  from  every  field  of  labor,  finances  carefully 
handled  and  no  pressure  for  funds.  On  the  other  hand  a  whole  nation 
in  a  panic,  strong  committees  going  to  pieces,  and  brave  faithful  officers 
driven  through  pity  to  despair  and  contempt,  and  the  cause  about  to 
be  abandoned  and  given  up  to  the  lasting  harm  of  all  humanity.  So 
desperate  a  case  called  for  quick  and  heroic  measures.  Realizing  the 
position  of  the  committees  from  their  own  sad  reports,  I  at  once  cabled 
relieving  them  from  further  contributions  :  "  IVe  will  finish  the  field 
7vithoiit further  aid.''  To  my  Red  Cross  officers  I  dictated  the  following 
letter,  wiiich  I  believe  was  used  somewhat  by  the  harassed  committees 
in  struggling  on  to  their  feet  again  : 


Ay Az- Pacha,  Taxim,  Constantinople,  April  18,  i8g6. 

P.  V.  DeGraw,  Esq.  ,  Corresponding  Secretary, 

Atnerican  Nationat  Red  Cross,  IVashinglon,  D.  C,  U.  S.  A.: 

Dear  Mr.  DeGraw:  I  received  both  your  and  Stephen  E.  Barton's 
heavy-hearted  and  friendly  letters,  and  they  fell  on  soil  about  as  heavy.  I 
could  not  understand  how  it  could  be,  for  I  knew  we  had  done  our  best,  and  I 
believed  the  best  that  could  have  been  done  under  the  circumstances  and  condi- 
tions. I  knew  we  held  a  great,  well  organized  relief  that  would  be  needed  as 
nothing  else  could  be.  That,  besides  us,  there  was  no  one  to  handle  the  ter- 
rible scourge  that  was  settling  down — no  one  here,  no  one  to  come,  who  could 
touch  it.  I  knew  I  was  not  interfered  with;  that  no  "restrictions"  nor  propo- 
sitions had  been  imposed  or  even  offered ;  that  the  government  was  considerate 
and  accorded  all  I  asked. 

But  what  had  stirred  America  up  and  set  it,  apparently,  against  us?  The 
relief  societies  going  to  pieces,  and  turning  sad  glances  here?  We  could  not 
understand  it.  I  did  not  wonder  that  you  thought  we  "had  best  come  home," 
still  I  knew  we  would  not;  indeed,  we  could  not.  I  have  a  body  of  relief  on 
these  fields,  hundreds  of  miles  away  in  the  mountains,  a  thousand  miles  from 
me,  that  I  could  not  draw  off  in  six  weeks,  and  if  we  were  to,  it  would  be  to 
abandon  thousands  of  poor,  sick,  suffering  wretches  to  a  fate  that  ought  to 
shock  the  entire  world.  Sick,  foodless,  naked,  and  not  one  doctor  and  no 
medicine  among  them ;  whole  cities  scourged  and  left  to  their  fate,  to  die 
without  a  hand  raised  to  help  excepting  the  three  or  four  resolute  missionaries, 
tired,  worn,  God-serving,  at  their  posts  until  they  drop.     The  civilized  world 


2QO  Till*:  ri-:d  crOvSvS. 

running  over  with  skilful  physicians,  nnd  not  one  there;  no  one  to  arraifge  to 
get  them  there;  to  pay  expenses,  take  special  charge  and  thus  make  it  possible 
for  them  to  go.  And  we,  seeing  that  state  of  things,  holding  in  our  grasp  the 
relief  ■\ve  had  been  weeks  prejoaring  and  organizing  in  anticipation  of  this,  to 
turn  back,  draw  off  our  helpers,  send  back  the  doctors  already'  started,  give  all 
up  because  somebody  had  said  something,  the  press  had  circulated  it,  the  world 
had'  believed  it,  our  disappointed  committees  had  lost  heart  and  grown  sore 
struggling  with  an  occupation  rather  new  to  them,  and  the  people  had  taken 
alarm  and  faileel  to  sustain  them. 

Was  this  all  there  was  of  us?  No  purpose  of  our  own?  "On  Change,  "  like 
the  price  of  wheat  on  the  market?  In  the  name  of  God  and  humanity  this  field 
must  be  carried,  these  people  must  be  rescued;  skill,  care,  medicines  and  food 
for  the  sick  must  reach  them.  And  it  is  a  glad  sight  to  my  soul  to  think  of 
Turkish  troops  taking  these  bands  of  doctors  on  to  Marash.  They  have  done  it, 
and  are  at  this  very  hour  inarching  on  with  them  to  their  field  of  labor.  What 
does  one  care  for  criticism,  disapproval  or  approval,  under  circumstances  like 
these.  Don't  be  troubled — we  can  carry  it.  We  are  fair  financiers,  not  dis- 
mayed, and  God  helping,  can  save  our  hospitals. 


It  remains  to  be  said  that  the  remedy  was  effective.  The  panic 
settled  away  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  there  are  few  people  in  any 
country  to-day  who  do  not  understand  that  America's  fund  was  dis- 
tributed by  its  own  agents,  without  molestation  or  advices  from  the 
Turkish  or  any  other  government. 

I  have  named  this  incident,  not  so  much  as  a  direct  feature  of  the 
work  of  distribution,  nor  to  elicit  sympathy,  as  to  point  a  characteristic 
of  our  people  and  the  customs  of  the  times  in  which  we  are  living,  in 
the  hope  that  reflection  may  draw  from  it  some  lessons  for  the  future. 
One  cannot  fail  to  see  how  nearly  a  misguided  enthusiasm,  desire  for 
sensational  news,  vital  action  without  thought  or  reflection,  came  to  the 
overthrowing  of  their  entire  object,  the  destruction  cf  all  that  had 
been  or  has  since  been  accomplished  for  humanitj^  and  the  burial  of 
their  grand  work  and  hopes  in  a  defeated  and  disgraceful  grave, 
which,  in  their  confusion,  they  would  never  have  realized  that  they 
had  dug  for  themselves.  They  are  to-day  justly  proud  of  their  work 
and  the  world  is  proud  of  them. 

Our  very  limited  number  of  assistants  made  it  necessary  that  each 
take  a  separate  charge  as  soon  as  possible  ;  and  the  division  at  Aintal) 
and  the  hastening  of  the  first  division,  under  Dr.  Hubbell,  northeast- 
ward to  Marash,  left  the  northwestern  route  through  Oorfa  and  Diar- 
bekir,  to  Messrs.  Wistar  and  Wood  ;  the  objective  point  for  all  being 
Harpoot,  where  they  planned  to  meet  at  a  certain  date.     Nothing  gave 


?:-U( 


CHIEF  OF  THE  DERSIN  KOURDS. 


ARMENIA.  293 

me  greater  joy  than  to  know  they  would  meet  our  brave  and  world- 
honored  countrywoman,  Miss  Shattuck,  isolated,  surrounded  by  want 
and  misery,  holding  her  fort  alone,  and  that  something  from  our  hands 
could  go  to  strengthen  hers,  emptied  by  the  needs  of  thousands  every 
day.  If  they  might  have  still  gone  to  Van,  and  reached  our  other 
heroic,  capable  and  accomplished  countrywoman,  Dr.  Grace  Kimball, 
it  would  have  been  an  added  joy.  But  the  way  was  long,  almost  to 
Ararat  ;  the  mountains  high  and  the  snows  deep  ;  and  more  than  all  it 
seemed  that  the  superb  management  of  her  own  grand  work  made  help 
there  less  needed  than  at  many  other  less  fortunate  points.  It  seemed 
remarkable  that  the  two  expeditions  separating  at  Aintab,  on  the  sixth 
day  of  April,  with  no  trace  of  each  other  between,  should  have 
met  at  Harpoot  on  April  29,  within  three  hours  of  each  other ;  and 
that  when  the  city  turned  out  eyi  masse,  with  its  missionaries  in  the 
lead,  to  meet  and  welcome  Dr.  Hubbell  and  the  Red  Cross,  that  far 
away  in  the  rear,  through  masses  of  people  from  housetop  to  street, 
modestly  waited  the  expedition  from  Oorfa. 

This  expedition  containing  as  it  did  two  leading  men,  again 
divided,  taking  between  them,  as  their  separate  reports  show,  charges 
of  the  relief  of  two  hundred  villages  of  the  Harpoot  vilayet,  and  later 
on  Diarbekir,  and  that  by  their  active  provision  and  distribution  of 
farming  implements  and  cattle  and  the  raising  of  the  hopes  and 
courage  of  the  people,  they  succeeded  in  securing  the  harvest  and 
saving  the  grain  crops  of  those  magificent  valleys. 

While  this  was  in  progress,  a  dispatch  came  to  me  at  Constanti- 
nople, from  Dr.  Shepard,  of  Aintab,  whose  tireless  hands  had  done  the 
work  of  a  score  of  men,  saying  that  fevers,  both  typhoid  and  typhus, 
of  a  most  virulent  nature,  had  broken  out  in  Arabkir,  two  or  three 
days  north  of  Harpoot ;  could  I  send  doctors  and  help  ?  Passing  the 
word  on  to  Dr.  Hubbell,  at  Harpoot,  the  prompt  and  courageous  action 
was  taken  by  him  which  his  report  will  name,  but  never  fully  show. 
It  is  something  to  say  that  from  a  rising  pestilence  with  a  score  of 
deaths  daily,  in  five  weeks,  himself  and  his  assistants  left  the  city  in  a 
normally  healthful  condition,  in  which  it  remained  at  last  accounts,  the 
mortality  ceasing  at  once  under  their  care  and  treatment. 

During  this  time  the  medical  relief  for  the  cities  of  Zeitoun  and 
Marash  was  in  charge  of  Dr.  Harris,  who  reached  there  March  18. 
The  report  of  the  consuls  had  placed  the  daily  number  of  deaths  from 
the  four  contagious  diseases  at  one  hundred.  This  would  be  quite 
probable  when  it  is  considered  that  ten  thousand  were  smitten  with  the 
prevailing  diseases,  and  that  added  to  this  were  the  crowded  conditions 
17 


294  THE   RICD   CROSS. 

of  the  patients,  by  the  thousands  of  homeless  refugees  who  had  flocked 
from  their  forsaken  villages;  the  lack  of  all  comforts,  of  air,  cleanliness, 
and  a  state  of  prolonged  starvation.  Dr.  Harris'  first  report  to  me  w^as 
that  he  was  obliged  to  set  the  soup  kettles  boiling,  and  feed  his  patients 
before  medicine  could  be  retained.  My  reply  was  a  draft  for  two  hun- 
dred liras,  with  the  added  dispatch:  "  Keep  the  pot  boiling;  let  us  know 
your  wants."  The  further  reports  show  from  this  time  an  astonish- 
ingly small  number  of  deaths.  The  utmost  care  was  taken  by  all  our 
expeditions  to  prevent  the  spread  of  the  contagion  and  there  is  no 
record  of  its  ever  having  been  carried  out  of  the  cities,  where  it  was 
found,  either  at  Zeitoun,  Marash,  or  Arabkir.  Lacking  this  precau- 
tion, it  might  well  have  spread  throughout  all  Asia  Minor,  as  was 
greatly  feared  by  the  anxious  people.  On  the  twenty- fourth  of  May 
Dr.  Harris  reported  the  disease  as  overcome.  His  stay  being  no  longer 
needed,  be  returned  to  his  great  charge  in  Tripoli  with  the  record  of  a 
medical  work  and  success  behind  him  never  surpassed  if  ever  equaled. 
The  lives  he  had  saved  were  enough  to  gain  heaven's  choicest  diadem. 
Never  has  America  cause  to  be  so  justly  proud  and  grateful  as  when 
its  sons  and  daughters  in  foreign  lands  perform  deeds  of  worth  like 
•:hat. 

The  appalling  conditions  at  Zeitoun  and  Marash  on  the  arrival  of 
Dr.  Harris,  naturally  led  him  to  call  for  more  physicians,  and  the  most 
strenuous  efforts  were  made  to  procure  them,  but  the  conditions  of  the 
field  were  not  tempting  to  medical  men.  Dr.  Post  had  already  sent  the 
last  recruit  from  Beyrout,  still  he  manfully  continued  his  efforts. 
Smyrna  was  canvassed  through  the  efforts  of  our  prompt  and  efficient 
Consul,  Colonel  Madden,  on  whom  I  felt  free  to  make  heavy  drafts, 
remembering  tenderly  as  we  both  did,  when  we  stood  together  in  the 
Red  Cross  rehef  of  theOhio  floods  of  1S84.  Failing  there,  I  turned  my 
efforts  upon  Constantinople.  Naturally,  we  must  seek  nationalities 
outside  of  Armenians.  We  succeeded  in  finding  four  Greek  physicians, 
who  were  contracted  with,  and  sailed  May  11,  through  perplexing 
delays  of  shipping,  taking  with  them  large  and  useful  medical  supplies 
and  delicacies  for  the  sick,  as  well  as  several  large  disinfecting  machines 
which  were  loaned  to  us  by  the  Turkish  Government,  Dr.  Zavitziano, 
a  Greek  physician,  who  kindly  assisted  us  in  many  ways,  conducting 
the  negotiations.  Through  unavoidable  delays  they  were  able  to  reach 
Alexandretta  only  on  May  25.  By  this  time  the  fevers  had  been  so  far 
overcome  that  it  was  not  deemed  absolutely  necessary  for  them  to  pro- 
ceed to  Marash;  and  after  conferring  with  Dr.  Harris,  they  returned  to 
Constantinople,  still  remaining  under  kindly  contract  without  remunera- 


ARMENIA.  295 

tion  to  go  at  once  if  called  upon  by  us  even  to  the  facing  of  cholera,  if 
it  gained  a  foothold  in  Asia  Minor.  We  should  not  hesitate  to  call  for 
the  services  of  these  gentlemen  even  at  this  distance  if  they  became 
necessary.  This  was  known  as  the  fifth  expedition,  which,  although 
performing  less  service,  was  by  far  the  most  difl&cult  to  obtain,  and  the 
most  firmly  and  legally  organized  of  any. 

The  closing  of  the  medical  fields  threw  our  entire  force  into  the 
general  relief  of  the  vilayet  of  Harpoot,  which  the  relieving  missionaries 
had  well  named  their  "bottomless  pit,"  and  where  we  had  already 
placed  almost  the  entire  funds  of  the  Boston  and  Worcester  committees. 

One  will  need  to  read  largely  between  the  lines  of  the  modest 
skeleton  reports  of  our  agents  in  order  to 'comprehend  only  approxi- 
mately the  work  performed  by  them  and  set  in  motion  for  others  to  per- 
form. The  apathy  to  which  the  state  of  utter  nothingness,  together 
with  their  grief  and  fear,  had  reduced  the  inhabitants  was  by  no  means 
the  smallest  difficulty  to  be  overcome;  and  here  was  realized  the  great 
danger  felt  by  all — that  of  continued  almsgiving,  lest  they  settle  down 
into  a  condition  of  pauperism,  and  thus,  finally  starve  from  the  inabil- 
ity of  the  world  at  large  to  feed  them.  The  presence  of  a  strange  body 
of  friendly  working  people  coming  thousands  of  miles  to  help  them, 
awakened  a  hope  and  stimulated  the  desire  to  help  themselves. 

It  was  a  new  experience  that  these  strangers  dared  to  come  to  them. 
Although  the  aforetime  home  lay  a  heap  of  stone  and  sand,  and  noth- 
ing belonging  to  it  remained,  still  the  land  was  there  and  when  seed  to 
plant  the  ground  and  the  farming  utensils  and  cattle  were  brought  to 
work  it  with,  the  faint  spirit  revived,  the  weak,  hopeless  hands  un- 
clasped, and  the  farmer  stood  on  his  feet  again  ;  and  when  the  cities 
could  no  longer  provide  the  spades,  hoes,  plows,  picks,  and  shovels, 
and  the  crude  iron  and  steel  to  make  them  was  taken  to  them,  the 
blacksmith  found  again  his  fire  and  forge  and  traveled  weary  miles 
with  his  bellows  on  his  back.  The  carpenter  again  swung  his  hammer 
and  drew  his  saw.  The  broken  and  scattered  spinning  wheels  and 
looms  from  under  the  storms  and  debris  of  winter,  again  took  form  and 
motion,  and  the  fresh  bundles  of  wool,  cotton,  flax,  and  hemp,  in  the 
waiting  widow's  hand  brought  hopeful  visions  of  the  revival  of  indus- 
tries which  should  not  only  clothe  but  feed. 

At  length,  in  early  June,  the  great  grain  fields  of  Diarbekir,  Far- 
kin  and  Harpoot  valleys,  planted  the  year  before,  grew  golden  and 
bowed  their  heavy  spear-crowned  heads  in  waiting  for  the  sickle.  But 
no  sickles  were  there,  no  scythes,  not  even  knives,  and  it  was  a  new 
and  sorry  sight  for  our  full-handed  American  farming  men,  to  see  those 


296  THE   RED   CROSS. 

poor,  hard,  Asiatic  hands,  trying  by  main  strength  to  break  the  tough 
straw  or  pull  it  by  the  roots.  This  state  of  things  could  not  continue, 
and  their  sorrow  and  pity  gave  place  to  joy  when  they  were  able  to 
drain  the  cities  of  Harpoot  and  Diarbekir  of  harvest  tools,  and  turned 
the  work  of  all  the  village  blacksmiths  on  to  the  manufacture  of  sickles 
and  scythes,  and  of  the  flint  workers  upon  the  rude  threshing  ma- 
chines. 

They  have  told  me  since  their  return  that  the  pleasantest  memories 
left  to  them  were  of  those  great  valleys  of  golden  grain,  bending  and 
falling  before  the  harvesters,  men  and  women,  each  with  the  new  sharp 
sickle  or  scythe — the  crude  threshing  planks,  the  cattle  trampling  out 
the  grain,  and  the  gleaners  in  the  rear  as  in  the  days  of  Abraham  and 
Moab.  God  grant  that  somewhere  among  them  was  a  kind-hearted 
king  of  the  harvest  who  gave  orders  to  let  some  sheaves  fall. 

Even  while  this  saving  process  was  going  on,  another  condition  no 
less  imperative  arose.  These  fields  must  be  replanted  for  the  coming 
year,  or  starvation  bad  been  simply  delayed.  Only  the  strength  of 
their  old  time  teams  of  oxen  could  break  up  the  hard  sod  and  prepare 
for  the  fall  sowing.  Not  an  animal — ox,  cow,  horse,  goat  or  sheep — 
had  been  left.  All  had  been  driven  to  the  Kourdish  mountains. 
When  Mr,  Wood's  telegram  came,  calling  for  a  thousand  oxen  for  the 
hundreds  of  villages,  some  of  which  were  very  large,  I  thought  of  our 
not  rapidly  swelling  bank  account,  and  all  that  was  needed  everywhere 
else,  and  replied  accordingly.  But  when,  in  return,  came  the  telegram 
from  the  Rev,  Dr.  Gates,  president  of  Harpoot  College,  the  live,  active, 
practical  man  of  affairs,  whose  judgment  no  one  could  question,  saying 
that  the  need  of  oxen  was  imperative,  that  unless  the  ground  could  be 
ploughed  before  it  dried  and  hardened,  it  could  not  be  done  at  all,  and 
the  next  harvest  would  be  lost,  and  that  "  Mr.  Wood's  estimate  was 
moderate,"  I  loosened  my  grasp  on  the  bank  account  and  directed  the 
financial  secretary  to  send  a  draft  for  5,000  liras  ($22,000)  to  care  of 
Rev.  Dr.  Gates,  Harpoot,  to  be  divided  among  the  three  expeditions  for 
the  purchase  of  cattle  and  the  progress  of  the  harvest  of  1897. 

This  draft  left  something  less  than  $3,000  with  us  to  finish  up  the 
field  in  all  other  directions.  As  the  sum  sent  would  be  immediately 
applied,  the  active  services  of  the  men  would  be  no  longer  required,  and 
directions  went  with  the  remittance  to  report  in  person  at  Constanti- 
nople, Unheard  of  toil,  care,  hard  riding  day  and  night,  with  risk  of 
life,  were  all  involved  in  the  carrying  out  of  that  order.  Among  the 
uncivilized  and  robber  bands  of  Kourds,  the  cattle  that  had  been  stolen 
and  driven  off  must  be  picked  up,  purchased  and  brought  back  to  the 


ARMENIA.  297 

waiting  farmer's  field.  There  were  routes  so  dangerous  that  a  brigand 
chief  was  selected  by  those  understanding  the  situation  as  the  safest 
escort  for  our  men.  Perhaps  the  greatest  danger  encountered  was  in 
the  region  of  Farkin,  beyond  Diarbekir,  where  the  official  escort  had 
not  been  waited  for,  and  the  leveled  musket  of  the  faithless  guide  told 
the  difference. 

At  length  the  task  was  accomplished.  One  by  one  the  expeditions 
closed  and  withdrew,  returning  by  Sivas  and  Samsoun  and  coming  out 
by  the  Black  Sea.  By  that  time  it  is  probable  that  no  one  questioned 
the  propriety  of  their  route  or  longer  wondered  or  cared  why  they 
went  to  Smyrna  or  Alexandretta,  Sivas  or  Samsoun.  The  perplexed 
frowns  of  our  anxious  committees  and  sympathetic  people  had  long 
given  way  to  smiles  of  confidence  and  approval,  and  glad  hands  would 
have  reached  far  over  the  waters  to  meet  ours  as  warmly  extended 
to  them. 

With  the  return  of  the  expeditions  we  closed  the  field,  but  con- 
tributors would  be  glad  to  know  that  subsequent  to  this,  before  leaving 
Constantinople,  funds  from  both  the  New  York  and  Boston  committees 
came  to  us  amounting  to  some  $15,000.  This  was  happily  placed  with 
Mr.  Peet,  treasurer  of  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  at  Stamboul,  to 
be  used  subject  to  our  order,  and  with  our  concurrence  it  is  now  being 
employed  in  the  building  of  little  houses  in  the  interior  as  a  winter 
shelter  and  protection  where  all  had  been  destroyed. 

The  appearance  of  our  men  on  their  arrival  at  Constantinople  con- 
firmed the  impression  that  they  had  not  been  recalled  too  soon.  They 
had  gone  out  through  the  snows  and  ice  of  winter  and  without  change 
or  rest  had  come  back  through  the  scorching  suns  of  midsummer — five 
months  of  rough,  uncivilized  life,  faring  and  sharing  with  their  beasts 
of  burden,  well  nigh  out  of  communication  with  the  civilized  world, 
but  never  out  of  danger,  it  seemed  but  just  to  themselves  and  to  others 
who  might  yet  need  them  that  change  and  rest  be  given  them. 

Since  our  entrance  upon  Turkish  soil  no  general  disturbance  had 
taken  place.  One  heard  only  the  low  rumbling  of  the  thunder  after 
the  storm,  the  clouds  were  drifting  southward  and  settling  over  Crete 
and  Macedonia,  and  we  felt  that  we  might  take  at  least  some  steps 
towards  home.  It  was  only  when  this  movement  commenced  that  we 
began  to  truly  realize  how  deep  the  roots  of  friendship,  comradeship, 
confidence,  and  love  had  struck  back  among  our  newly  found  friends 
and  countrymen  ;  how  much  a  part  of  ourselves — educational,  humani- 
tarian and  official — their  work  and  interest  liad  become,  and  surely  firom 
them  we  learned  anew  the  lesson  of  reciprocity. 


298  THIv   RKD   CROSS, 

Some  days  of  physical  rest  were  needful  for  the  men  of  the  exper  i- 
tions  after  reaching  Constantinople  before  commencing  another  jour- 
ney of  thousands  of  miles,  worn  as  they  were  by  exposure,  hardship 
and  incessant  labor,  both  physical  and  mental.  This  interval  of  time 
was,  however,  mainly  employed  by  them  in  the  preparation  of  the 
reports  submitted  with  this,  and  in  attention  to  the  letters  which  fol- 
lowed them  from  their  various  fields,  telling  of  further  need,  but  more 
largely  overflowing  with  gratitude  and  blessing  for  what  had  been 
done. 

For  our  financial  secretary  and  myself  there  could  be  neither  rest  nor 
respite  while  we  remained  at  a  disbursing  post  so  well  known  as  ours. 
Indeed  there  never  had  been.  From  the  time  of  our  arrival  in  February 
to  our  embarkation  in  August  there  were  but  two  days  not  strictly 
devoted  to  business,  the  fourth  of  July  and  the  fifth  of  August — the 
last  a  farewell  to  our  friends.  For  both  of  these  occavSions  we  were 
indebted  to  the  hospitality  of  treasurer  and  Mrs.  W.  W.  Peet,  and 
although  held  in  the  open  air,  on  the  crowning  point  of  Proti,  one  of 
the  Princes'  Islands,  with  the  Marmora,  Bosporus  and  Golden  Horn 
in  full  view,  the  spires  and  minarets  of  Constantinople  and  Scutari  tell- 
ing us  of  a  land  we  knew  little  of,  with  peoples  and  customs  strange 
and  incomprehensible  to  us,  still  there  was  no  lack  of  the  emblem  that 
makes  every  American  at  home,  and  its  wavy  folds  of  red,  white  and 
blue  shaded  the  tables  and  flecked  the  tasteful  viands  around  which  sat 
the  renowned  leaders  of  the  American  missionary  element  of  Asia 
Minor. 

Henry  O.  Dwight,  D.  D.,  the  accomplished  gentleman  and  diplo- 
matic head,  who  was  the  first  to  suggest  an  appeal  to  the  Red  Cross, 
and  I  am  glad  to  feel  he  has  never  repented  him  of  his  decision.  One 
fact  in  regard  to  Dr.  Dwight  may  be  of  interest  to  some  hundreds  of 
thousands  of  our  people:  On  first  meeting  him  I  was  not  quite  sure  of 
the  title  by  which  to  address  him,  if  reverend  or  doctor,  and  took  the 
courage  to  ask  him.  He  turned  a  glance  full  of  amused  meaning  upon 
me  as  he  replied:  "  That  is  of  little  consequence;  the  title  I  prize  most 
is  Captain  Dwight."  "Of  what?"  I  asked.  "Company  D,  Twen- 
tieth Ohio  Volunteers,  in  our  late  war."  The  recognition  which  fol- 
lowed can  well  be  imagined  by  the  comrades  for  whose  interest  I  have 
named  the  incident. 

Rev.  Joseph  K.  Greene,  D.  D.,  and  his  amiable  wife,  to  whom  so 
much  is  due  towards  the  well  being  of  the  missionary  work  of  Constan- 
tinople. I  regret  that  I  am  not  able  to  reproduce  the  eloquent  and 
patriotic  remarks  of  Dr.  Greene  on  both  these  occasions,  so  true  to  our 


ARMENIA.  299 

country,  our  government  and  our  laws.  Rev.  George  P.  Knapp, 
formerly  of  Bitlis,  whose  courage  no  one  questions.  Mrs.  L,ee  of 
Marash,  and  Mrs.  Dr.  George  Washburn  of  Robert  College,  the  worthy 
and  efficient  daughters  of  Rev.  Dr.  Cyrus  Hamlin,  the  veteran  mission- 
ary and  founder  of  Robert  College,  living  in  Lexington,  Mass.  A  half- 
score  of  teachers,  whose  grand  lives  will  one  day  grace  the  pages  of 
religious  history.  And  last,  though  by  no  means  least,  our  host,  the 
man  of  few  words  and  much  work,  who  bears  the  burden  of  monetary 
relief  for  the  woes  and  wants  of  Asia  Minor,  W.  W.  Peet,  Esq. 

It  was  a  great  satisfaction  that  most  of  our  field  agents  were  able  to 
be  present  at  the  last  of  these  beautiful  occasions  and  personally  render 
an  account  of  their  stewardship  to  those  who  had  watched  their  course 
with  such  interest.  The  pleasure  of  these  two  days  of  recreation  will 
ever  remain  a  golden  light  in  our  memories. 

As  the  first  official  act  of  the  relief  work  after  our  arrival  in  Con- 
stantinople was  ni}^  formal  presentation  to  the  Sublime  Porte  by  the 
American  Minister,  Honorable  A.  W.  Terrell,  diplomatic  courtesy 
demanded  that  I  take  proper  occasion  to  notify  the  Turkish  Govern- 
ment of  our  departure  and  return  thanks  for  its  assistance,  which  was 
done  formally  at  "Selamlic,"  a  religious  ceremony  held  on  the  Turkish 
Sabbath,  which  corresponds  to  our  Friday.  The  Court  Chamberlain 
delivered  my  message  to  the  palace.  It  was  received  and  responded  to 
through  the  same  medium  and  I  took  my  departure,  havii^g  finished 
my  diplomatic  work  with  that  government  which  had  from  first  to 
last  treated  me  with  respect,  assisted  my  work  and  protected  my 
workers. 

To  correct  certain  impressions  and  expressions  which  have  been 
circulating  more  or  less  extensively  in  this  country,  and  for  the  correct 
information  of  the  people  who  through  their  loyal  interest  deserve  to 
know  the  facts,  I  make  known  my  entire  social  relations  while  residing 
in  Turkey.  Personally  I  did  not  go  beyond  Constantinople.  The 
proper  conduct  of  our  work  demanded  the  continuous  presence  of  both 
our  financial  secretary  and  myself  at  headquarters.  I  never  saw,  to 
pensonally  communicate  with,  any  member  of  the  Turkish  Government 
excepting  its  Minister  of  Foreign  Affairs,  Tewfik  Pasha,  as  named 
previously.  I  ricver  spoke  with  the  Sultan  and  have  never  seen  him- 
excepting  in  his  carriage  on  the  way  to  his  mosque. 

On  being  informed  through  our  Legation  that  the  Turkish  minister 
at  Washington,  Mavroyeni  Bey,  had  been  recalled  and  that  hif,  succes- 
sor was  about  to  leave  for  his  new  position,  I  felt  that  national  courtesy 
required  that  I  call   upon   him   and,   attended   by  a  member  of  our 


300 


THE    RED   CROSS. 


legation,  my  secretary  and  myself  crossed  the  Bosporusto  a  magnifi- 
cent estate  on  the  Asiatic  shore,  the  palatial  home  of  Moustapha  Tahsin 
Bey,  a  gentleman  of  culture,  who  had  resided  in  New  York  in  some 
legal  capacity  and  who,  I  feel  certain,  will  be  socially  and  oflScially 
acceptable  to  our  Government. 

I  have  received  a  decoration,  officially  described  as  follows : 


Brevet  of  Chevalier  of  the  Royal  Order  of  Melusine,  founded  in  1186,  by 
Sibylle,  Queen  and  spouse  of  King  Guy  of  Jerusaleui,  and  reinstituted  several 
years  since  by  Marie,  Princess  of  Lusignan.  The  Order  is  conferred  for 
humanitarian,  scientific  and  other  services  of  distinction,  but  especially  when 
such  services  are  rendered  to  the  House  of  Lusignan,  and  particularly  to  the 
Armenian  nation.  The  Order  is  worn  by  a  number  of  reigning  sovereigns,  and 
is  highly  prized  b}'  the  recipients  because  of  its  rare  bestowal  and  its  beauty. 
This  decoration  is  bestowed  by  His  Royal  Highness,  Guy  of  Lusignan,  Prince 
of  Jerusalem,  Cyprus  and  Armenia. 


Some  months  after  returning  home  I  received  through  our  State 
Department  at  Washington  the  Sttltan's  decoration  of  Shefaketand  its 
accompanying  diploma  in  Turkish,  a  reproduction  and  translation  of 
which  is  here  given : 


TOWER   OF  CHRIST,    CONSTANTINOPLE. 


W.  W.  PEET,  ESQ. 


REV.  HENRY  O.  DWIGHT,  D.  D. 


KKV.  JOS.  K.  GREENE,  D.  D. 


REV.  GEO.  WASHBURN,  D.  D. 


Js, 


i^-f^c^ji^ 


% 
^^, 


'^'^^. 


^•fJfOi 


-^^^^..U/a  .. ... 


^-'^■^^.yj 


TURKISH  DTPT.OMA  ACCOATPANYIXG  DECORATION. 

As  Miss  Barton,  American  citizen,  possesses  many  great  and  distinguished  qualities  ami 
recompense  is  due  to  her,  I  am  pleased  therefore  to  accord  to  her  the  second  class  of  my  decn 
tions  of  Shefaket— [Translation.] 

(303) 


304  Tlir  RKD  CROSS. 

The  first  notice  of  tliis  honor  came  to  me  throuj:::h  our  own 
Smithsonian  Institute,  as  indicating  its  scientific  character. 

On  the  ninth  of  August  we  took  passage  on  board  the  steamsliir 
"  Meteor,"  a  Roumanian  steamer  plying  between  Constantinople  and 
the  ports  of  the  Black  Sea.  our  objective  point  being  Costanza,  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Danube  River.  This  was  our  first  step  toward  home,  and 
the  leaving  of  a  people  on  whom,  in  common  with  the  civilized  world, 
our  whole  heart  interest  had  been  centred  for  more  than  half  a  3'ear; 
having  no  thought,  however,  until  the  hour  of  parting  revealed  it,  of 
the  degree  of  interest  that  had  been  centred  on  us. 

On  the  spacious  deck  of  the  steamer  were  assempled  our  entire 
American  representation  at  Constantinople,  prepared  to  accompany  us 
through  the  Bosporus,  their  boats  having  been  sent  forward  to  take 
them  off  near  the  entrance  of  the  Black  Sea. 

The  magnificent  new  quay  in  either  direction  was  crowded  with 
people  without  distinction  of  nationality,  the  strange  costumes  and 
colors  commingling  in  such  variety  as  only  an  Oriental  city  can  pro- 
duce, patiently  waiting  the  long  hour  of  preparation.  When  at  length 
the  hoarse  whistle  sounded  and  the  boat  swayed  from  its  moorings,  the 
dense  crowd  swayed  with  it  and  the  subdued  tones  pealed  out  in 
tongues  many  and  strange;  but  all  had  one  meaning — thanks,  blessings 
and  God  speed.  We  received  these  manifestations  reverently,  for  while 
they  meant  kindliness  to  us  and  our  work,  they  meant  far  more  of  hom- 
age and  honor  for  the  nation  and  people  we  represented.  And  not  only 
in  Constantinople  but  the  shores  of  the  Bosporous  as  we  proceeded 
presented  similar  tokens  of  recognition — the  wavy  Stars  and  Stripes 
from  Robert  College,  Rebek,  and  Hissar,  told  more  strongly  than  words 
how  loyal  to  their  own  free  land  were  the  hearts  and  hands  toiling  so 
--.IthfuUy  in  others. 

Touching  at  Budapest  for  a  glimpse  at  its  Millenial  Exposition;  at 
Vienna  to  pay  respects  to  our  worthy  Minister,  Hon,  Bartlett  Tripp; 
we  hastened  to  meet  the  royal  greeting  of  the  Grand  Duke  and  Grand 
Duchess  of  Baden,  attheir  beautiful  island  of  Minau  in  Lake  Constance 
— the  wedding  gift  of  the  Grand  Duke  to  his  young  princess  bride  forty- 
three  years  ago.  It  was  a  great  pleasure  to  be  able  to  bring  our  hard- 
worked  men  into  personal  contact  with  these  active  royal  personages, 
who  know  so  well  in  their  own  philanthropic  lives  how  to  appreciate 
such  labor  in  others. 

Lest  some  may  not  recall  directly  the  lines  of  royal  succession,  our 
readers  will  pardon  me  if  I  say  that  the  Grand  Duchess  of  Baden  is 
the  only  daughter  of  the  old  Emperor  William  and  Empress  Augusta, 


ARMENIA.  305 

the  sister  of  Germany's  "Fritz,"  the  aunt  of  the  present  Emperor, 
the  mother  of  the  Crown  Princess  of  Sweden,  and  the  granddaughter 
of  the  beloved  Queen  Louise,  whom  she  is  said  to  very  much 
resemble. 

Oni  day  was  given  to  Strasburg — another  labor  field  of  the 
Franco- German  war,  of  longer  duration  than  Armenia — reaching  Lon- 
don on  the  twenty-fourth  day  of  August. 

Our  passage  was  engaged  on  the  "Servia,"  to  sail  September  i, 
when  the  news  of  the  terrible  troubles  in  Constantinople  reached  us. 
We  were  shocked  and  distressed  beyond  words.  The  streets  where  we 
had  passed,  the  people  who  had  served  us,  the  Ottoman  Bank  where 
we  had  transacted  business  almost  daily  for  nearly  a  half  a  year,  all  in 
jeopardy  if  not  destroyed.  Our  men  of  the  interior  feared  a  general 
uprising  there,  in  which  case  we  might  be  able  to  help.  Our  sense  of 
duty  did  not  permit  us  to  proceed  until  the  facts  were  better  known. 
We  cancelled  or  rather  transferred  our  passage  by  the  "Servia,"  tele- 
graphed to  Constantinople  and  cabled  to  America,  expressing  our 
willingness  to  return  to  the  field  if  our  services  were  in  any  way 
needed.  Kindly  advices  from  both  directions,  together  with  a  more 
quiet  condition  of  things,  decided  us  to  continue  our  journey,  and 
engaging  passage  by  the  "  Umbria  "  for  the  fifth,  we  arrived  in  New 
York  on  the  twelfth  of  vSeptember,  eight  months  lacking  ten  days  from 
the  time  of  our  departure  on  the  twenty-second  of  January. 


Distances  and   Difficulties  op  Travel,  Transportation  and 
Communications. 


For  the  convenience  of  the  closely  occupied  who  have  not  time  to 
study  as  they  read,  I  have  thought  it  well  to  condense  the  information 
above  referred  to  in  a  paragraph,  which  can  be  taken  in  at  a  glance, 
in  connection  with  the  map. 

The  one  great  port  of  Asia  Minor  is  Constantinople.  To  reach 
the  centre,  known  as  Anatolia  or  Armenia,  there  are  two  routes  from 
Constantinople.  One  by  way  of  the  Mediterranean  Sea  to  Alexan- 
dretta,  the  southern  port  or  gateway  ;  the  other  by  the  Black  Sea,  to 
reach  the  northern  ports  of  Samsoun  and  Trebizond,  lying  along  the 
southern  coast  of  the  Black  Sea.  There  is  no  land  route,  but  a  "  pony 
post,"  like  the  overland  days  of  California,  takes  important  dispatches 
for  the  government,  or  money.     The  way  is  infested  by  brigands. 


3o6 


Till":    RIvl)    CROSS. 


There  are  no  regular  passenger  boats,  but  Russia,  Austria,  France 
and  Greece  have  dispatch — in  reality,  coasting  boats — one  of  which 
aims  to  leave  Constantinople  each  week,  although  at  first  we  found  it 
at  least  two  weeks  between  the  times  of  sailing  and  irregular  at  that. 

The  time  from  Constantinople  to  Alexadretta  is  eight  to  ten  days. 
From  Constantinople  to  Samsoun,  two  days.  From  either  of  these  ports 
the  interior  must  be  reached  by  land. 

From  Alexandretta  to  Harpoot  is  fifteen  (15)  days, 

"  **  "  Marash  is  five  (5)  days. 

"  "  "  Zeitoun  is  seven  (7)  days. 

"  "  "  Oorfa  is  six  (6)  days. 

**  "  "  Diarbekir  is  twelve  (12)  days. 

On  the  north  from  Samsoun  to  Harpoot  is  fifteen  (15)  days. 

These  journeys  were  made  by  horse,  mule  or  donkey,  over  moun- 
tain paths,  rocks  and  precipices.  Only  in  comparatively  a  few  places 
are  there  roads  allowing  the  passing  of  a  wheeled  vehicle  of  any  kind, 
even  the  passing  of  a  horse  along  the  steep  declivities  is  sometimes 
dangerous. 

Communications. 

As  will  be  seen,  the  sending  of  a  letter  from  Constantinople  to 
the  interior,  requires  at  the  best  vsix  weeks,  or  forty-six  days  with  no 
delays. 

Only  the  large  and  more  important  towns  have  telegraphic  com- 
munication. This  requires  two,  three,  four  days  of  a  week,  according 
to  circumstances.  These  dispatches  are  all  sent  and  must  be  answered 
in  Turkish. 


Head  of  Turkish    1  klec.rm'ii  Blank. 


ARMENIA.  307 


^.l 


Grf 


[Translation  of  above  Telegram.] 


Arabker,  May  17,  /Sg6. 
Miss  Barton: 

Since  three  days  we  are  attending  with  our  doctors  and  their  attendants  to  one 
hundred  sick  per  day.  The  contagious  fever  (typhus)  is  diminishing.  Miss  Bush 
and  all  the  party  are  distributing  clothing  and  bedding.  Lemme  is  giving  imple- 
ments and  seed  to  the  farmers.  The  needs  here  are  extreme.  Wistar's  party  are 
at  Pyre.     Wood  with  his  party  are  working  in  the  district  of  Palou. 

HUBBELL, 

The  larger  towns  have  mails  usually  leaving  once  a  week,  carried 
on  horses  with  a  military  guard.  No  newspaper  is  published  in  Asia 
Minor. 

The  missionary  stations,  with  but  two  or  three  exceptions,  are  not 
near  the  seacoast,  but  from  three  to  fifteen  days'  travel  from  either  the 
Mediterranean  or  the  Black  Sea,  or  three  to  twenty-live  days  to  the 
nearest  Mediterranean  port.  As  will  be  seen  by  reference  to  the  map 
the  following  stations  are  on  the  seaboard:  Trebizond  on  the  Black  Sea; 
Smyrna  and  a  small  station  near  Merisine  on  the  Mediterranean,  and 
Constantinople  on  the  Bosporus. 

The  following  are  inland  and  curing  several  months  in  the  winter 
and  spring  must  be  nearly,  if  not  quite,  inaccessible  to  outside  approach: 
Adabazar,  Bardezag,  Brousa,  Cesarea,  Marsovan,  Hadjin,  Tarsus, 
Adana,  Mardin,  Aintab,  Marash,  Sivas,  Harpoot,  Oorfa,  Erzingan, 
Erzroom,  Van,  Bitlis, 

Funds. 

It  should  be  distinctly  understood  by  contributors  that  neither 
their  letters,  nor  any  individual  contributions  came  to  us;  these  were 
received  by  the  committees  or  parties  raising  the  funds  in  America. 


3o8 


THE   RKI)   CROSS. 


The  letters  were  doubtless  faithfully  acknowledged,  and  the  various 
sums  of  money  placed  in  the  general  fund  forwarded  to  us  by  them. 
All  contributions  received  by  us  directly  at  Constantinople  are  acknowl- 
edged in  our  report. 

Although  an  account  of  the  disposition  of  all  funds  is  rendered  in 
the  report  of  the  financial  secretary,  which,  after  verification,  I  signed 


A^/ 


'^^SMsS  ■ 


<  M  I, 


INTERIOR  OF  GREGORIAN  CHTTRCH   AT  OORFA,   WHERE   MANY   HTJNDREDS 
OK  WOMEN  AND   CHILDREN  WERE   MASSACRED. 


jointly  -with  him,  I  will,  however,  at  the  risk  of  repetition,  take  the 
liberty  of  adding  the  following  remarks  on  the  subject; 

It  is  to  be  borne  always  in  mi :  1  that  the  amount  of  money  to  be 
distributed  was  never  made  a  concern  of  ours,  provided  they  were 
actually  ''funds  to  distributed  To  the  question  so  frequently  and 
kindly  asked  of  us,  "Did  you  have  money  enough,  or  were  you  embar- 
rassed in  your  operations  by  want  of  funds?  "  I  beg  to  have  this  reply 
intelligently  understood:  that  we  had  always  money  enough  in  hand 
for  the  work  in  hand.  We  were  never  embarrassed  in  our  operations 
by  lack  of  funds,  holding,  as  I  alwaj'S  have,  thnt  charitable  relief  in 
order  to  be  safe  and  efficient,  should  be  conducted  on  the  same  reason- 


??  ":= 


^  .1 
SI 


o  ^ 
H 

W 

13 
w 

p4 


(309) 


3IO  THE   RRD   CROSS. 

able  basis  as  business,  and  that  a  good  businessman,  unless  by  accident 
on  the  part  of  other  persons,  or  of  circumstances,  will  never  find  himself 
embarrassed,  as  he  will  never  undertake  more  than  he  has  the  means  to 
successfully  accomplish.  We  were  never  embarrassed  in  our  operations 
by  lack  of  funds,  and  our  committees  will  testify  that  no  intimation  of 
that  kind  ever  came  to  them  from  us.  This  would  have  been  both 
unwise  and  unjust.  According  to  the  universal  system  of  charitable 
relief,  all  was  being  done  that  could  be  done;  but  if  asked  if  we  had 
enough  for  the  needs  of  the  people,  enough  to  relieve  the  distress  through 
desolated  Asia  Minor,  enough  to  make  those  people  comfortable  again, 
then  a  very  tender  chord  has  been  touched.  No  hearts  in  America  are 
more  sore  than  ours;  its  richest  mine  might  drain  in  that  attempt. 
Our  men  in  the  interior  have  seen  and  lived  among  what  others  vainly 
strive  to  picture;  they  are  men  of  work,  not  words,  and  under  heaven 
have  labored  to  do  what  they  could  with  what  they  had.  It  is  their 
stewardship  they  are  trying  to  render  to  a  great-hearted,  sympathetic 
and  perplexed  people,  racked  by  various  emotions,  seeking  light  through 
every  channel,  and  conclusively  solving  and  settling  in  a  score  of  ways, 
every  day,  problems  and  questions  which  have  unsettled  a  considerable 
portion  of  the  world  for  centuries. 


^  The  Committees. 

On  behalf  of  the  wretchedness  and  suffering  met  through  Asia 
Minor,  we  return  heartfelt  thanks  to  the  committees  who  labored  with 
such  untiring  zeal  toward  their  relief.  We  were  never  unmindful  of  the 
ilifficulties  which  they  were  constantly  called  to  encounter  and  to  over- 
come. Not  having  in  hand  the  funds  desired  or  even  guaranteed,  they 
must  raise  them,  and  this  largely  from  persons  whose  sympathies  out- 
ran their  generosity,  if  not  their  means.  This  naturally  opened  the 
door  for  excuses  for  withholding,  until  it  could  be  seen  that  "  some- 
lliing  was  actually  being  accomplished  ;  "  then  the  doubt  if  anything 
"  could  be  accomplished  ;  "  next  the  certainty  that  it  "  could  not  be," 
and  so  on  through  whole  chapters  of  dark  prophecies  and  discourage- 
ments sufiicient  to  dishearten  the  most  hopeful  natures,  and  weaken  at 
times  the  best  efforts  that  could  be  put  forth.  Against  volumes,  nay, 
oceans  of  these  discouragements,  our  committees  must  have  struggled, 
with  more  or  less  of  success,  and  again  for  their  efforts  on  behalf  of 
such  suffering  as  even  they  never  witnessed,  we  return  with  reverence 
our  sincerest  gratitude.  Their  efforts  have  been  herculean,  their  ob- 
sfuctions  scarcely  less. 


AINIKKICAN    COr,I<lCGK    BUILDINGS,  AIM". 


r 


-u^^ 


tli^-^S:S^ 


^mm 


'l^l^v 


"^*!i- 


AMERICAN    ANP    AKML.MAX    Ol  AKTl.K.S,    llAKl 


RED  CROSS   CARAVAN, 


ARMENIA.  313 

The  cause  of  these  difficulties  lay  in  the  customary  conception  and 
methods  of  charitable  relief  which  they  were  naturally  compelled  to 
adopt  and  follow.  Until  the  world  comes  to  recognize  that  charity  is 
not  beggary,  and  should  not  be  made  to  depend  upon  it,  that  a  legiti- 
mate and  ready  fund  to  draw  from  in  order  to  facilitate  and  validate  its 
transactions  is  as  necessary  as  in  other  movements,  the  difficulties  of 
our  tireless  and  noble  committees  will  be  everywhere  met. 

It  is  with  these  views  that  the  Red  Cross  has  never  solicited  means 
in  aid  of  its  work  of  relief  Heretofore  on  all  its  fields,  the  people  have 
been  left  free  to  contribute  what  they  desired,  and  through  whom  they 
desired,  and  it  is  we  believe,  a  well  understood  fact,  that  the  use  of  the 
name  of  the  Red  Cross  in  the  raising  of  funds  for  the  late  Armenian  relief, 
was  simply  incidental, one  of  the  methods  naturally  resorted  to  in  order 
to  secure  the  end,  and  by  no  concurrence  of  ours,  as  has  been  previously 
and  fully  explained. 


To  THE  Press  of  the  United  States. 

Among  the  dark  hours  that  came  to  us  in  the  hopeless  waste  of 
work  and  woe  on  every  side,  the  strong  sustaining  power  has  been  the 
Press  of  the  United  States.  While  naturally  compelled  to  give  circula- 
tion to  unauthorized  reports  from  other  sources,  it  has  evidently  done 
it  with  regret,  and  hastened  by  strong  editorials,  in  words  of  no  un- 
certain vsound,  to  set  right  before  its  readers  any  errors  that  may  have 
crept  in.  The  American  press  has  always  been  loyal  to  the  Red  Cross 
and  to  its  work,  and  once  more  it  is  our  privilege  to  tender  to  it  our 
meed  of  grateful  praise. 


To  THE  Contributors  of  the  United  States, 

Whose  sympathy,  God-like  pity  and  mercy  prompted  them  to  the 
grand  work  of  relief  for  the  half  million  suffering  and  dying  in  a  land 
they  had  never  seen,  whose  purses  were  opened,  whose  own  desires 
were  repressed  that  they  might  give,  not  of  their  abundance,  but  of 
their  scantiness  ofttimes,  whose  confidence  made  us  their  almoners, 
whose  whole-hearted  trust  has  strengthened  us,  whose  hearts  have  been 
with  us,  whose  prayers  have  followed  us,  whose  hopes  have  sustained 
us,  and  whose  beckoning  hands  were  held  out  in  tenderness  to  welcome 
us  back  to  them,  what  can  be  said,  what  can  be  done,  but  to  bow  our 


314  THK  RKD  CROSS. 

heads  in  grateful  recognition  of  the  words  of  unexpected  commenda- 
tion which  nearly  overwhelm  us,  and  pray  the  gracious  God  that  He 
bless  our  work,  to  the  measure  of  the  praise  bestowed. 


To  OUR  Government  at  Washington  ; 

To  its  cordial  sympathy  so  warmly  expressed  through  its  honored 
Secretaries  of  State  and  Navy,  and  through  whose  ready  access  we 
were  at  all  times  able  to  reach  the  public,  our  earnest  and  respectful 
thanks  are  rendered,  begging  our  warm-hearted  people  to  bear  in  mind 
that  our  rulers  are  a  part  of,  and  like  themselves  ;  that  the  security  of 
the  government  lies  largely  in  the  fact  that  responsibility  tends  to  con- 
servatism— not  necessarily  less  sympathetic,  but  less  free,  more  respon- 
sible and  more  thoughtful. 

To  our  Legation  in  Constantinople. 

Our  thanks  are  due  to  our  genial  minister,  Hon.  A.  W.  Terrell,  his 
accomplished  secretary,  a.\\A  charge  d' affairs,  J.  W.  Riddle,  his  inter- 
preter and  dragoman,  Gargiulo;  our  Consul  General,  Luther  Short, 
Esq. ;  the  consular  interpreter,  Demetriades,  from  every  one  of  whom 
we  received  unremitting  care  and  attention  during  all  the  months  of 
our  residence  at  Constantinople,  and  without  which  aid  we  could  not 
have  succeeded  in  our  work.  There  was  not  an  hour  that  their  free 
service  was  not  placed  at  our  command.  Through  them  all  govern- 
mental business  was  transacted.  The  day  was  never  too  long  nor  the 
night  too  short  for  any  active  help  they  could  render  ;  I  only  hope  that 
our  diplomatic  service  at  all  courts  is  as  faithfully  and  cheerfully  ren- 
dered as  at  Constantinople.  In  this  connection  I  desire  to  make  special 
mention  of  the  assistance  of  United  States  Consul,  Dr.  Milo  A. 
Jewett,  at  Sivas,  and  Consular  Agent,  Daniel  Walker,  at  Alexandretta. 

Both  personally  and  oflEicially  I  believe  the  record  of  Minister  Ter- 
rell will  sustain  him.  While  firm  and  direct  of  speech  he  is  a  man  of 
uncommon  courtesy,  abounding  in  the  old  time  hospitality  of  his  native 
state,  Virginia.  If  at  the  close  of  his  official  term,  he  shall  be  able  to 
report  that  through  all  the  months — nay,  years — of  unheard-of  troubles, 
dangers  and  deaths  in  the  country  to  which  he  was  assigned,  while 
some  hundreds  of  his  fellow  citizens  were  constantly  and  peculiarly 
exposed  to  these  dangers,  that  with  no  direct  governmental  aid  or 
authority,  without  even  a  ship  of  his  own  country  in  port,  that  no  life 


ARMENIA.  315 

in  his  charge  has  been  lost,  and  that  only  such  clangers,  hardships  and 
losses  as  were  incident  to  the  terrible  transactions  about  them  had  been 
inflicted  upon  them,  we  will,  I  trust,  look  calmly  at  the  results,  and 
decide  that  if  this  were  not  diplomacy,  it  was  a  very  good  substitute. 


To  THE  Ambassadors  of  Other    Nations    at    Constantinople. 

To  these  high  and  honorable  gentlemen  our  thanks  are  due.  To 
Sir  Philip  Currie  of  Kngland,  there  seemed  to  come  no  difference  in 
sentiment  between  our  people  and  his  own  ;  a  tower  of  strength  where- 
ever  he  took  hold.  Germany  and  Russia  were  cordial  and  ready  to 
aid,  as  also  our  English  Consul,  R.  A.  Fontana,  at  Harpoot,  and  C.  M, 
Hallward,  at  Diarbekir;  and  following  these,  may  I  also  name  the 
ready  help  of  Renter's  Express  and  the  United  and  Associated  Presses 
of  both  Constantinople  and  London . 


Commendatory. 

Here  is  a  phase  of  our  work  which  should  not  be  entirely  passed 
by,  and  yet,  if  only  partially  taken  up  would  overrun  our  entire  report. 
Only  one  or  two  excerpts  must  suffice  to  show  what  the  others  might 
mean. 

From  Rev.  Dr.  H.  O.  Dvvight,  one  word  among  the  many  so 
generously  spoken  : 


Miss  Barton  has  done  a  splendid  work,  sensil)ly  and  economically  managed. 
Wherever  her  agents  have  been,  the  missionaries  have  expressed  the  strongest 
approval  of  their  methods  and  efficiency.  The  work  done  has  been  of  great  and 
permanent  importance. 


From  Rev.  Joseph  K.  Greene,  D.  D.,  to    the  New  York  ''  ludcpend 
enf : 


After  some  six  months  of  service,  Miss  Clara  Barton  and  her  five  ahle  assist- 
ants have  left  Constantinople  on  their  return  to  America.       It  was  only  on  the 


.^i6  THE   RKD   CROSS. 

earnest  solicitation  of  the  missionaries,  the  officers  of  the  American  Board  and 
many  other  friends  of  the  sufferinjj  Armenians  that  Miss  Barton  undertook  the 
relief  in  this  land.  The  difficulties  of  the  work,  arising  from  the  suspicions  of 
the  Turkish  authorities,  the  distance  from  the  capital  to  the  sufferers,  the  perils 
ami  discomforts  in  communicating  with  them,  and  from  unfamiliarity  with  tlie 
languages  and  customs  of  the  people  of  the  land,  would  surely  have  appalled  a 
less  courageous  heart.  Under  such  circumstances  it  is  only  just  and  fair  that 
the  American  public  should  be  apprised  of  the  substantial  success  of  this  mis- 
sion of  the  Red  Cross. 

In  the  first  place.  Miss  Barton  has  shown  a  rare  faculty  in  getting  on  well 
with  everybody.  To  facilitate  her  work  she,  and  the  assistants  whom  she  loves 
to  call  "my  men,"  laid  aside  all  the  insignia  of  the  Red  Cross  and  appeared 
everywhere  simply  as  private  individuals.  She  clearly  understood  that  she 
could  accomplish  her  mission  only  by  securing  the  confidence  and  good  will  of 
the  authorities,  and  this  she  did  by  her  patience  and  repeated  explanations, 
and  by  the  assistance  of  the  American  Legation.  When  the  irade,  or  imperial 
decree  sanctioning  her  mission,  was  delayed,  she  sent  for^'ard  her  assi.stants 
with  only  a  traveling  permit  for  a  part  of  the  way,  trusting,  and  not  in  vain, 
that  the  local  authorities,  instructed  from  headquarters,  would  facilitate  their 
way.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  while  Mr.  Pullman,  her  secretary  and  treasurer, 
remained  at  Constantinople  with  Miss  Barton,  her  distributing  agents,  namely. 
Dr.  Ilubbell  and  Mr.  Mason,  Mr.  Wistar  and  Mr.  Wood,  either  together  or  in 
two  parties,  traveled  inland  from  Alexaudretta  to  Killis,  Aintab,  Marash, 
Zeitoim,  Birejik,  Oorfa,  Diarbekir,  Farkin,  Harpoot,  Palou,  Malatia,  Arabkir, 
Egin,  Sivas,  Tokat,  Samsoun  and  back  to  Constantinople  without  interruption 
or  molestation.  They  were  readily  and  constantly  supplied  with  guards,  and 
could  not  with  safety  have  made  their  perilous  four  months'  journey  without 
them.  Demands  are  said  to  have  been  made  that  the  distribution  of  aid  be 
made  under  the  supervision  of  government  officials,  but  in  fact,  Miss  Barton's 
agents  knew  how  to  make  their  distributions  in  every  place,  after  careful  con- 
sultation and  examination,  without  any  interference  on  the  part  of  the  author- 
ities. 

Miss  Barton  received  in  all  about  |;i  16,000,  and  an  unexpended  balance  of 
$15,400  was  committed  to  Mr.  Peet,  the  treasurer  of  the  American  Missions  in 
Turkey,  to  be  held  as  an  emergency  fund,  subject  to  Miss  Barton's  orders.  No 
expense  has  been  incurred  for  Miss  Barton  or  her  agents  save  for  traveling 
expenses  and  the  wages  of  interpreters,  and  with  this  exception  the  entire  sum 
expended  has  gone  to  the  actual  relief  of  the  sufferers.  While  the  fund  com- 
mitted to  the  Anglo-American  Committee,  of  which  Mr.  Peet  is  a  member — a 
sum  four  to  five  times  the  amount  committed  to  Miss  Barton — has  been 
expended  through  the  missionaries, largely  to  save  the  hungry  from  starvation, 
the  relief  through  the  agents  of  the  Red  Cross  has  for  the  most  part  been  wisely 
devoted  to  the  putting  of  the  poor  sufferers  on  their  feet  again,  and  thus  helping 
them  to  help  themselves.  Some  500  liras  (a  lira  is  %i^.i\.ooi  good  mone}')  were 
given  for  the  cure  and  care  of  the  sick  in  Marash,  Zeitoun  and  elsewhere,  and 
some  2,000  liras'  worth  of  cloths,  thread,  pins  and  needles  were  sent  inland;  but 
many  times  this  amount  was  expended  in  providing  material  for  poor  widows, 
seeds,  agricultural  implements  and  oxen  for  farmers;  tools  for  blacksmiths  and 


ARMENIA. 


317 


carpenters,  and  looms  for  weavers.  In  some  places  Miss  Barton's  agents  had  the 
pleasure  of  seeing  vegetable  gardens  coining  forward  from  .seed  furnished  hy  the 
Red  Cross,  and  village  farmers  reaping  the  grain  with  sickles  which  the  Red 
Cross  had  given.  The  great  want  now — a  want  which  the  funds  of  the  Red 
Cross  agents  did  not  permit  them  to  any  large  extent  to  meet — is  aid  to  the 
poor  villagers  to  help  them  rebuild  their  burned  and  ruined  houses,  and  thus 
provide  for  themselves  shelter  against  the  rigors  of  the  coming  winter.  The 
Red  Cross  agents  have,  however,  gathered  a  great  stock  of  information  ;  and 
passing  l)ythe  horrors  of  the  massacres  and  the  awful  abuse  of  girls  and  women, 
as  unimpeachable  witnesses  they  can  l)ear  testimony  to  the  frightful  sufferings 
and  needs  of  the  people.  We  most  sincerely  hope  and  pray  that  Mi.ss  Barton 
and  the  agents  and  friends  of  the  Red  Cross  will  not  esteem  their  work  in 
Turkey  done,  but  knowing  now  so  well  just  what  remains  to  be  done,  and  what 
can  be  done,  will  bend  every  effort  to  secure  further  relief  for  the  widows  and 
orphans  of  the  more  than  sixty  thousand  murdered  men — mostly  between  the 
ages  of  eighteen  and  fifty — whose  lives  no  earthly  arm  was  outstretched  to  save. 
While  we  gratefully  bear  witness  to  the  wise  and  indefatigable  efforts  of 
Miss  Barton's  ag'euls,  permit  us  to  add  that  during  her  more  than  six  months' 
stay  in  Constantinople  Miss  Barton  gave  /z^r.?^//"  unremittingly  to  the  work  of 
her  mission.  She  seems  to  have  had  no  time  for  sight-seeing,  and  not  a  few 
of  her  friends  are  disposed  to  complain  that  she  had  no  time  to  accept  the 
invitations  of  those  who  would  have  been  glad  to  entertain  her.  The  only 
relaxation  she  seems  to  have  given  herself  was  on  two  occasions — the  first,  a 
Fourth  of  July  picnic  with  a  few  American  friends,  on  one  of  the  Princes' 
Islands,  and  the  second,  another  picnic  on  the  same  island,  on  Wednesday, 
August  5,  when,  with  three  of  her  "men,"  she  met  some  twenty  American  lady 
teachers  and  missionaries,  in  order  to  bid  them  a  courteous  farewell.  The  first 
occasion  she  unqualifiedly  declared  to  have  been  the  happiest  Fourth  of  July 
she  had  ever  had;  and  inspired  by  the  occasion,  she  penned  some  verses  which 
she  kindly  read  to  her  friends  on  the  second  gathering,  and  which  we  very 
much  wish  she  would  permit  the  editor  of  the  Independent  to  publish.  On  the 
second  occasion,  at  Miss  Barton's  request,  the  financial  secretary  read  his  report 
and  Dr.  Hubbell  and  Mr.  Wood  presented  reports  of  the  work  of  distribution. 
We  gratefully  acknowledged  the  honor  done  us  in  permitting  us  to  hear  these 
reports;  and,  remembering  our  concern  for  Miss  Barton  while  preparing  for  the 
work  of  distribution  six  months  ago,  we  gladly  expressed  our  joy  and  congrat- 
ulations now  on  the  happy  return  of  her  faithful  and  efficient  agents,  of  whom 
it  may  be  truly  said  that  they  went  and  saw  and  conquered.  We  rejoiced  that 
these  new  friends  had  come  to  know  so  well  the  American  missionaries  in 
Turkey,  and  were  truly  thankful  for  a  mutually  happy  acquaintance.  We 
wished  Miss  Barton  and  her  "men"  a  hearty  welcome  on  their  arrival,  and, 
now,  with  all  our  hearts,  we  wish  them  god-speed  on  their  return  home. 

Constantijiople,  Turkey. 


The  little  "verses  "  so  kiiidly  referred  to  by  Dr.  Greene,  were  not 
even  written,  but  were  a  simple  train  of  thought  that  took  rhythmic 


3i8 


THK   RED   CROSS. 


form  as  we  crossed  ov^er  the  sea  of  Marmora,  on  our  way  to  an  island 
celebration  of  the  Fourth  of  July.  Later  I  found  time  to  put  them  on 
paper  and  read  them  to  the  guests  at  our  farewell  meeting,  presenting 
them  to  our  host,  Mr.  W.  W.  Peet.  They  appear  to  have  gained  a 
favor  far  beyond  their  merit,  and  by  request  of  many  friends  they  are 
given  place  in  the  report  as  a  "part  of  its  histor>\" 


AN  ANCIENT  MOSQUE  IN   KILLIS. 


ARMENIA.  319 


MARMORA. 

It  was  twenty  and  a  hundred  years,  oh  bhie  and  rollincj  sea, 
A  thousand  in  the  onwatd  march  of  human  liberty, 
Since  on  its  sunlit  bosom,  wind-tossed  and  sails  unfurled, 
Atlantic's  mighty  billows  bore  a  message  to  the  world. 

It  thunders  down  its  rocky  coast,  and  stirs  its  frugal  homes; 

The  vSaxon  hears  it  as  he  toils,  the  Indian  as  he  roams ; 

The  buffalo  upon  the  plains,  the  panther  in  his  lair, 

And  the  eagle  hails  the  kindred  note,  and  screams  it  through  the  aii 

"Make  way  for  liberty,"  it  roared,  "here  let  the  oppressed  go  free, 
Break  loose  your  bands  of  tyrant  hands,  this  land  is  not  for  thee. 
The  old  world  in  its  crusted  grasp  grinds  out  the  souls  of  men. 
Here  plant  their  feet  in  freedom's  soil,  this  land  was  made  for  them. " 

The  mother  slept  in  her  island  home,  but  the  children  heard  the  call, 
And  ere  the  western  sun  went  down,  had  answered,  one  and  all; 
For  Britain's  thirteen  colonies  had  vanished  in  a  day, 
And  six  and  half  a  hundred  men  had  signed  their  lives  away. 

And  brows  were  dark,  and  words  were  few,  the  steps  were  quick  and  strong. 
And  firm  the  lips  as  ever  his  who  treasures  up  a  wrong; 
And  stern  the  tone  that  offered  up  the  prayer  beside  the  bed. 
And  many  a  Molly  Stark  that  night  wept  silent  tears  of  dread. 

The  bugles  call,  and  swords  are  out,  and  armies  march  abreast. 

And  the  old  world  casts  a  wondering  glance  to  the  strange  1  ight  in  the  west ; 

Lo,  from  its  lurid  lightnings  play,  free  tossing  in  the  wind, 

Bursts  forth  the  star-gemmed  flag  that  wraps  the  hopes  of  all  mankind 

And  weary  eyes  grew  brighter  then,  and  fainting  hearts  grew  strong. 
And  hope  was  mingled  in  the  cry,  "How  long,  oh  Lord,  how  long?" 
The  seething  millions  turn  and  stir  and  struggle  toward  the  light; 
The  free  flag  streams,  and  morning  gleams  where  erst  was  hopeless  night 

And  grim  Atlantic  thunders  still  adown  its  rocky  shores. 
And  still  the  eagle  screams  his  note,  as  aloft  he  sails  and  soars; 
And  hope  is  born,  that  even  thou,   in  some  far  day  to  come, 
O  blue  and  rolling  Marmora,  shalt  bear  the  message  home 
Dedicated  to  W.  W.  Peet,  Esq.  Clara  Barton. 

Co7istantinof>le,  July  ^,  1896. 


320  THK   RED   CROSS. 

Reports  are  always  tedious.  If  some  reader,  having  persevered 
thus  far,  if  such  there  be,  shall  fiud  himself  or  herself  saying  with  a 
little  thrill  of  disappointment,  "  But  this  does  not  give  the  information 
expected,  it  does  not  recommend  any  specific  course  to  be  pursued, 
whether  emigration  for  the  Armenians,  and  if  so,  where,  and  how; 
or  autonomy,  and  if  so,  how  to  be  secured,  and  assured;  if  more  ships 
should  be  sent,  and  what  they  should  do  when  there;  if  greater 
pressure  of  the  Powers  should  be  demanded  by  us,  or  what  course,  as  a 
nation,  we  ought  to  pursue.  We  had  expected  some  light  on  these 
questions." 

Appreciating  and  regretting  this  disappointment,  we  must  remind 
our  anxious  readers  and  friends — for  such  they  are — that  we  have  never 
been  required  to  do  this;  that  all  conclusions  to  that  efifect  are  simply 
inferential,  and  all  such  expectations  were  born  of  anxious  hope.  But 
that  which  we  feel  does  immediately  concern  us,  and  comes  directly 
within  our  province,  is,  to  state  that  notwithstanding  all  that  has  been 
done  through  all  sources,  infinitely  more  remains  to  be  done  by  some 
one;  and  while  speculation  upon  the  moral  duty  of  nations,  the  rights 
or  wrongs  of  governments,  the  problem  of  whether  one  ruler  or  another 
shall  sit  upon  a  throne  for  the  next  six  months;  what  expressions  of 
individual  principle  in  regard  to  certain  actions  should  be  given;  the 
proper  stand  for  a  people  to  take  and  maintain  on  high  moral  and 
religious  questions — all  important  subjects — none  value  them  more  than 
I — all  marking  the  high  tone  and  progressive  spirit  of  the  most 
advanced  stage  of  human  thought  and  culture  the  world  has  yet  known, 
it  would  seem  that  each  and  all  of  these,  imperative  and  important  as 
they  are,  admit  of  at  least  a  little  moment  of  time  for  consideration,  and 
will  probably  take  it  whether  admitted  or  not. 

But  the  facts  are,  that  between  the  Archipelago  and  the  Caspian 
Seas,  the  Black  and  the  Mediterranean,  are  to-day  living  a  million  and 
a  half  of  people  of  the  Armenian  race,  existing  under  the  ordinances  of, 
at  least,  semi-civilization,  and  professing  the  religion  of  Jesus  Christ; 
that  according  to  the  stated  estimate  of  intelligent  and  impartial 
observers  of  various  countries  and  concurred  in  by  our  own  agents, 
whose  observations  have  been  unrestricted,  from  100,000  to  200,000  of 
these  persons,  men,  women  and  children,  are  destitute  of  shelter, 
raiment,  fire,  food,  medicines,  the  comforts  that  tend  to  make  human 
life  preservable,  or  any  means  of  obtaining  them,  save  through  the 
charitable  beneficence  of  the  world. 

The  same  estimates  concur  in  the  statement,  that  without  such 
outside  support,  at  least  50,000  of  these  persons  will  have  died  of 


iUSlI.    UAKl'tJOT 


REV.  C    F.  GATES,  D.  D.,  HARPOOT. 


FIRST   EXTKUITIUN    ICMBAKKING   ON    FKRRY    BOAT, 
EUPHRATES   RIVER. 


in.A!M-.^:4!^!iU[JMm» 


1^;. 


-»■*'*     i,f   ^. ■»♦--«■!■     .    *.;^-*.^f^ C 


:.   Cl.na  Ilartou 

A  TURKISH  TESKERE  OR  PASSPORT. 


ARMENIA. 


323 


starvation  or  perished  through  accumulated  hardship,  before  the  first 
of  May,  1897, 

That  even  now  it  is  cold  in  their  mountain  recesses,  the  frosts  are 
whitening  the  rocky  crests,  trodden  by  their  wandering  feet,  and  long 
before  Christmas  the  friendly  snow  will  have  commenced  to  cover  their 
graves. 

These  facts,  bare  and  grim,  are  what  I  have  to  present  to  the 
American  people;  and  if  it  should  be  proposed  to  make  any  use  of  them 
there  is  not  much  time  for  consideration.  We  have  hastened,  without 
loss  of  a  day,  to  bring  them  plainly  and  truthfully  before  the  public  as 
a  subject  pertaining  peculiarly  to  it. 

I  would  like  to  add  that  this  great  work  of  human  relief  should 
not  fall  wholly  upon  the  people  of  our  own  country — by  no  means  with- 
out its  own  suffering  poor — neither  would  it.  The  people  of  most 
enlightened  nations  should  unite  in  this  relief,  and  I  believe,  properly 
conferred  with,  would  do  so. 

None  of  us  have  found  any  better  medium  for  the  dispensation  of 
charitable  relief  than  the  faithful  missionaries  already  on  the  ground, 
and  our  government  oflScers,  whose  present  course  bespeaks  their 
active  interest. 

Clara  Barton. 


A   BIT  OF   PAI.OU. 


324  THR    RED   CROSL 


KHPORT  OF  THH  FINANCIAL  SHCRHTARY. 

The  following  financial  report,  of  necessity,  has  to  deal  with  the 
currencies  of  five  different  countries,  viz.:  American,  English,  French, 
Austrian  and  Turkish,  but  as  nearly  all  except  expenses  of  travel  and 
maintenance  are  in  Turkish  money,  and  as  American,  English,  French 
and  other  moneys  received  were  naturally  reduced  to  the  coin  of  the 
Ottoman  Empire,  we  were  obliged  to  make  our  accounts  to  correspond. 
As  the  report  is  made  on  the  gold  basis  of  loo  piasters  to  a  lira,  our 
friends  may  easily  find  the  value  in  American  money  by  multiplying 
the  number  of  piasters  by  4.4,  as  a  gold  lira  (100  piasters)  is  approxi- 
mately worth  four  and  four-tenths  dollars. 

Owing  to  the  difference  in  values  between  gold  and  silver  coin,  the 
wide  range  of  values  between  the  same  coin  in  different  cities,  also  the 
singulat  variation  of  the  purchasing  power  of  the  same  coin  in  the  same 
cities  for  various  commodities,  complicated  and  curious  mathematical 
problems  have  constantly  confronted  us,  and  for  the  correctness  and 
accuracy  of  our  report  we  are  under  many  obligations  to  W.  W.  Peet, 
Esq.,  treasurer  of  the  American  Board  of  Foreign  Missions;  the  officers 
of  the  Imperial  Ottoman  and  Credit  Lyonnais  Banks;  as  well  as  George 
Kiinzel,  Esq.,  expert  accountant  of  the  Administration  de  la  Dette 
Publique  Ottomane.  Our  grateful  acknowledgments  are  also  due  and 
heartily  given  to  Rev.  Dr.  H.  O.  Dwight,  the  executive  head  of  the 
Missionary  Board  at  Constantinople,  and  Rev.  Dr.  George  Washburn, 
president  of  Robert  College,  for  many  valuable  suggestions. 

To  give  a  single  illustration  of  the  acrobatic  acquirements  of  the 
sprightly  piaster,  theignus  fatuus  characteristics  of  themejidieh  (nom. 
20  piasters),  and  the  illusive  proclivities  of  the  lira,  we  will  outline  a 
transaction  connected  with  our  first  medical  expedition,  under  Dr.  Ira 
Harris,  of  Tripoli,  Syria.  We  had  sent  four  hundred  liras  to  Dr. 
George  E.  Post,  of  Beyrout,  who  was  fitting  out  the  expedition  for  us, 
and  presumed  we  would  receive  a  receipt  for  that  amount,  or  for  40, 000 
piasters,  its  equivalent.  The  acknowledgment  came,  and  we  were  some- 
what nonplussed  to  note  that  we  had  been  credited  with  a  sum  far 
exceeding  that  amount.  A  letter  of  inquiry  was  sent,  as  we  supposed 
our  good  doctor  had  made  an  error.  We  quote  a  paragraph  or  two  in 
his  letter  of  reply:  "  I  am  not  surprised  that  3'ou  do  not  quite  under- 
stand the  intricacies  of  Turkish  finance.     After  thirty-three  years  of 


ARMENIA.  325 

residence,  I  am.  still  trying  to  get  some  idea  of  what  a  piaster  is.  *  *  * 
In  Beyrout  it  is  worth  one  piaster  and  five  paras,  with  variations;  a 
mejidieh  is  worth  from  nineteen  piasters  to  almost  anything.  Kvery 
town  has  its  rate.  ^  *  =i^  The  nominal  value  changes  daily.  Thus 
if  I  credit  you  to-day  with  123.20  piasters  on  the  lira,  next  week  I  may 
be  out  of  pocket,  or  vice  versa.  *  *  *  Internally,  it  is  well  nigh 
impossible  to  keep  accounts.  *  *  *  The  only  way  our  college  books 
are  kept  is  by  giving  the  rate  as  it  is  when  the  account  is  entered  and 
as  it  appears  in  all  receipts  and  other  vouchers." 

We  were  much  gratified  with  this  assurance,  for  if  a  college  president, 
after  thirty- three  years'  study,  had  not  solved  the  piaster  puzzle,  there 
was  some  excuse  for  us.  Hundreds  of  accounts  and  bills  have  been 
received,  audited  and  paid,  and  scarcely  any  two  correspond  in  piaster 
equivalents.  Therefore,  although  the  money  unit  is  the  gold  piaster, 
and  the  monetary  standard  the  gold  lira,  the  frequent  changes  in  valua- 
tion is  very  bewildering  to  foreigners,  and  necessitates  frequent  confer- 
ence with  persons  who,  after  long  years  of  residence,  have  reached  an 
equitable  basis  by  which  monetary  equivalents  can  be  ascertained. 

A  glance  at  our  column  of  receipts  shows  a  considerable  variation  in 
rates  of  exchange,  and  also  the  selling  price  of  British  gold  (most  of 
our  drafts  and  cabled  credits  were  in  English  sovereigns).  We  sold 
the  greater  part  of  our  gold  at  a  rate  exceeding  no,  which  is  the 
commercial  rate  in  business  transactions.  In  all  credits  received,  the 
values  are  of  course  given  according  to  the  rate  on  the  day  of  sale. 

Many  of  our  accounts,  receipts  and  vouchers  are  curiosities,  as  they 
are  in  various  languages,  Arabic,  Kourdish,  Turkish,  Armenian, 
Greek,  Italian,  etc.  They  were  interesting  but  at  the  same  time 
exceedingly  perplexing  to  us,  though  our  expert  accountant  found  no 
difficulty  with  any  of  them,  and  right  here  we  desire  to  make  special 
acknowledgment  to  Mr.  Kiinzel  for  his  excellent  but  unpaid  services. 

In  our  column  of  expenses  will  be  found  an  exceedingly  rare  Red 
Cross  item,  namely,  "Wages  Account."  All  the  native  or  local 
doctors  and  apothecaries  with  one  exception,  had  to  be  paid  "conta- 
gious di.=ease  rates,"  as  they  called  it.  The  exception  was  Dr.  Ira 
Harris,  of  Tripoli,  Syria,  that  brave  and  self-sacrificing  American, 
whose  great  medical  ability  and  splendid  surgical  skill  accomplished  .so 
much  in  curing  the  sick  in  the  terribly  distressed  cities  of  Marash  and 
Zeitoun,  with  their  many  surrounding  villages.  We  are  glad  to  make 
this  public  acknowledgment  in  full  appreciation  of  his  heroic  services. 
Besides  the  doctors,  there  were  interpreters  and  dragomen  for  the 
various  expeditions  in  the  field  to  whom  wages  were  paid.     No  adverse 


326  THE    RKD    CROSS. 

reflection  is  designed  in  the  making  of  this  statement,  as  the  conditions 
surroiuuHng  life  and  service  in  that  region  of  operation  made  such 
remuneration  an  equitable  necessity. 

It  is,  we  think,  a  well  understood  fact  that  the  Red  Cross  officers 
neither  receive  nor  ask  any  remuneration  for  their  services,  but  away 
fi(  ::i  our  own  country  we  did  not  find  the  splendid  volunteer  aids  we 
have  had  on  former  fields.  But  few  could  be  found,  and  these  we  have 
lind  with  us  both  in  Constantinople  and  Asia  Minor,  and  very  efficient 
1.  .^>ers  they  have  been;  to  these  our  thanks  are  due  and  cordially 
given. 

After  our  expeditions  had  entered  the  field,  and  begun  work,  the 
first  remittances  to  our  chief  officers  were  sent  in  a  manner  which  for 
slowness  and  seeming  insecurity  would  have  appalled  American  busi- 
ness men.  The  modus  operandi  was  as  follows:  A  check  for  the 
amount  desired  was  drawn  and  taken  to  the  bank;  after  half  an  hour  or 
more  the  gold  would  be  weighed  out  and  handed  over — our  bankers 
would  have  performed  the  same  service  in  two  minutes.  The  coin  was 
tiien  put  into  a  piece  of  stout  canvas  cloth,  done  up  in  a  round  ball, 
securely  tied  and  taken  to  the  Imperial  Turkish  postoffice,  where  it  was 
placed  in  a  piece  of  sheepskin,  all  the  ends  brought  together  very 
evenly,  cut  off  square  and  covered  with  sealing  wax,  the  strong  cords 
binding  the  package  in  a  peculiar  manner  were  woven  in  so  that  the 
ends  could  be  passed  through  a  small  wooden  box  like  a  pill  box;  this 
box  was  filled  with  wax.  After  the  imperial  post  and  our  seals  were 
attached,  bakshish  given,  and  the  package  insured  in  an  English  com- 
l^aiiy,  the  only  thing  remaining  after  the  three  or  four  hours'  work  and 
delay  was  to  go  home  and,  with  fear  and  trembling,  wait  some  twenty- 
five  or  thirty  days  until  the  pony  express  arrived  at  its  destination  and 
acknowledgment  by  telegraph  of  the  receipt  of  the  money  relieved  the 
nervous  strain  as  far  as  that  package  was  concerned.  This  trying  busi- 
ness was  kept  up  until  it  became  possible  to  use  drafts  in  the  interior. 
We  are  happy  to  report  that,  though  the  money  had  to  be  taken 
through  a  country  infested  with  robbers,  outlaws  and  brigands,  we 
never  lost  a  lira. 

Bakshish  is  another  custom  of  the  country,  infinitely  more  exas- 
perating than  our  "  tip  "  system,  which  is  bad  enough.  This  is  trying 
to  most  people,  but  peculiarly  irritating  to  a  financial  secretar}'.  Bak- 
shish is  a  gift  of  money  which  an  Oriental  expects  and  demands  for  the 
most  trifling  service.  Beggars,  by  instinct,  seem  to  know  a  financial 
secretary  and  swarm  around  in  the  most  appalling  manner.  To  make 
any  headway  with   this  horde  at  least  two   Turkish   words   must  be 


ARMENIA.  327 

mastered  the  first  day,  uaiiiely,  "  Yok,''  No,  and  "  Hide-git,''  "  Be  off 
with  you."  These  expressions  are  sometimes  efficacious  with  beggars, 
but  the  bakshish  fiend  must  be  paid  something. 

As  long  columns  of  figures  have  no  interest  to  the  great  majority 
of  people,  and  detailed  accounts  of  receipts  and  expenses  are  never 
read,  as  it  is  of  no  possible  importance  what  moneys  were  received  at 
certain  tines,  or  what  goods  were  purchased  on  specific  days  for  the 
field  work,  or  gold  or  drafts  sent  into  the  interior,  we  give  our  state- 
ment in  as  condensed  a  form  as  possible.  The  committees  have 
received  their  respective  reports,  with  all  vouchers  and  other  detail. 

We  believe  the  account  of  our  stewardship  will  be  approved  by 
our  countrymen  ;  we  know  that  the  people  w^hom  we  came  to  assist, 
are  grateful  and  thoroughly  appreciative,  as  numberless  letters  of  grat- 
itude, testimonials  and  personal  statements  abundantly  prove. 

To  the  $1 16,326.01,  at  least  a  third  if  not  a  half  more  should  be 
added,  as  in  all  kinds  of  industrial  business  we  have  made  the  money 
do  double  duty.  For  instance:  We  purchased  iron  and  steel  and 
gave  to  the  blacksmiths  to  make  tools.  That  started  their  work. 
They  paid  us  for  the  iron  and  steel  in  tools  ;  these  we  gave  to  other 
artisans  to  start  their  various  trades.  In  like  manner  spinning,  weav- 
ing and  garment-making  avocations  were  commenced.  Speaking  of 
values,  the  consensus  of  opinion  of  our  countrymen  in  the  interior  is, 
that  putting  a  price  on  our  work,  the  people  of  Anatolia  have  gained 
twice  or  thrice  the  actual  money  spent,  and  that  the  moral  support 
given  was  far  beyond  any  valuation.  (At  such  a  money  valuation 
then,  the  aggregate  value  of  the  chief  distribution  will  be  nearly 
1350,000.) 

A  few  words  of  explanation  in  regard  to  the  table  of  expenditures: 
"  Cash  sent  to  the  Interior  "  includes  all  moneys  sent  by  pony  express 
or  draft,  and  of  this  amount  something  over  seven  thousand  liras  are  in 
the  hands  of  W.  W.  Peet,  Esq.;  Rev.  C.  F.  Gates,  at  Harpoot;  C.  M. 
Hallward,  Esq.,  British  Consul,  at  Diarbekir;  Rev.  E.  H.  Perry,  at 
Sivas,  and  other  equally  responsible  representatives,  for  an  emergency 
fund,  to  be  used,  on  order,  as  occasion  requires. 

"  Relief  Expeditions,  General  and  Medical,"  represents  largely  the 
goods  purchased  and  shipped  with  the  four  expeditions  from  Constanti- 
nople and  Beyrout  for  relief  purposes.  A  portion  of  this  supply  is  still 
held  at  different  stations  awaiting  the  proper  time  for  its  distribution  to 
the  best  advantage. 

"General  Expense  Account"  represents  freights,  postage,  bak- 
shish, hammals,  car  fares,  carriages,   etc.     "  Donations  for  Relief  of 


328  THE    RliI)   CROSS. 

Orphan  Children  "  represents  sums  of  money  given  to  the  Armenian 
and  German  hospitals  for  Armenian  refugee  children.  The  other  items 
we  think  explain  themselves. 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  special  Red  Cross  fund,  as  noted  in 
our  tabulation  of  debits  and  credits,  more  than  covers  expenses  of 
"  Red  Cross  Headquarters,  Field,"  "  Travel  and  Maintenance,"  "  Gen- 
eral Expense  and  Wages  Accounts,"  and  "  General  and  Medical  Relief 
Expeditions  Accounts,"  all  of  which  items  were  of  direct  benefit  to  the 
field  as  all  were  necessary  to  the  successful  conduct  of  our  work.  We 
only  mention  this  to  show  that,  besides  the  work  we  have  been  able  to 
successfully  perform,  the  Red  Cross  has  also  materially  contributed  mon- 
etarily to  the  field.  And  it  will  not  be  out  of  place  to  note  that  in  the 
total  of  cash  expended  ($i  16,326.01)  there  is  shown  to  be  an  administra- 
tive cost  amounting  to  $7,526.37,  as  covered  by  such  items  as 
"Telegrams  and  Cables,"  "Wages  Account,"  "General  Expense," 
"Headquarters,  Field,"  "Stationery  and  Printing,"  and  "  Travel  and 
Maintenance. ' '  This  cost  was  but  a  fraction  over  6  per  cent  on  the  cash 
total.  If  the  estimated  money  value  in  field  results  be  taken  at  three 
times  the  cash  received  and  paid,  for  relief  material,  food,  etc. ,  as  stated, 
it  will  be  found  that  the  cost  of  administration  is  only  about  2  per  cent. 
In  either  account  or  estimate  theresult  is  gratifyingthough  not  surprising 
to  the  officers  of  the  Red  Cross,  since  the  methods  pursued  are  the  fruits 
of  a  wide  experience  that  evaded  no  responsibility  and  learned  only  to 
spend  wisely  for  the  trust  imposed  and  accepted.  It  is  also  satisfactory 
to  know  that  such  expenditures  came  direct  from  the  "  Special  Founds" 
of  the  Red  Cross  itself.  An  examination  of  the  balance  sheets  accom- 
panying this  report  shows  that  of  funds  expended,  the  Red  Cross  is 
credited  with  $24,641.93,  which  leaves  an  excess  for  relief  over  the  cost 
of  administration  of  $17,115.56. 

Perhaps  this  brief  financial  review  of  the  work  achieved  may  be 
properly  closed  by  a  reference  to  the  sincere  enthusiasm  and  earnestness 
with  which  the  efforts  to  raise  funds  in  the  United  States  were  ani- 
mated. The  incidents  herein  mentioned  may  also  illustrate  how  the 
wisdom  of  experience  accepts  the  earnestness  and  yet  discounts  without 
criticism  the  over  confident  calculations,  to  which  a  noble  zeal  may 
run.  It  would  appear  that  the  collection  of  funds  for  the  purpose  of 
relieving  a  Christian  people  in  danger  of  starvation  and  violent  death  by 
knife  or  bullet — of  aiding  a  historic  race  in  the  throes  of  dissolution 
from  massacre,  and  dispersion  in  winter  by  storm  and  famine,  would 
be  a  very  easy  thing  to  accomplish.  A  good  many  of  our  countrymen, 
unaccustomed  to  great  relief  work,  found  the  collection  of  the  means 


ARMENIA.  329 

needed,  a  task  more  than  difficult.  A  single  illustration  will  prove  how 
misleading  is  the  conception.  It  must  be  borne  in  mind  always  that 
the  Red  Cross  never  solicits  funds.  It  sees  its  field  of  benefit  work  and 
having  fully  examined  the  needs,  states  theiu  through  the  press  and  all 
other  public  avenues,  to  the  American  people,  leaving  the  response 
direct  to  their  judgment  and  generosity.  When  it  is  asked  to  accept 
the  administration  of  relief  funds  and  material,  in  fields  like  this  that 
awaited  it  in  Asia  Minor,  the  trust  is  surely  met,  but  tbe  Red  Cross 
does  not  ask  for  the  means  and  money.  Others  do  that,  stating  that 
the  work  will  be  under  its  charge.  When  it  is  once  accepted  there  is  no , 
retreat,  no  matter  how  far  the  exertions  may  fall  short  of  reaching  the 
hoped-for  results. 

Last  November  (1895),  after  many  petitions  had  been  received  and 
carefully  considered,  representatives  of  the  great  Armenian  Relief  Com- 
mittees came  to  Washington  for  the  purpose  of  supplementing  such 
earnest  petitions  by  personal  appeals.  A  conditional  consent  having 
been  obtained,  the  subject  of  funds  was  brought  up  by  the  following 
question: 

"  Miss  Barton,  how  much  do  ^'•ou  think  it  will  cost  to  relieve  the 
Armenians  ?  " 

The  question  was  answered  by  another:  "  Gentlemen,  you  are  con- 
nected with  the  various  missionary  boards,  with  banks  and  other  great 
institutions  and  enterprises.   What  amount  do  you  consider  necessary  ?' ' 

After  deliberation,  $5,000,000  was  suggested  as  the  proper  sum  and 
the  question  was  asked  if  the  Red  Cross  concurred.  Miss  Barton,  with 
the  faintest  suggestion  of  a  smile,  replied  that  she  thought  $5,000,000 
would  be  sufficient.  As  the  difficulties  of  raising  money  became 
more  apparent  to  the  committees,  numerous  meetings  were  held  and 
various  other  amounts  suggested,  Miss  Barton  agreeing  each  time. 
From  $5,000,000  to  $500,000,  with  a  guarantee  for  the  balance;  then 
$100,000  cash,  with  $400,000  guaranteed,  and  so  on,  until  $50,000  was 
named  to  start  the  work  with,  such  sum  to  be  available  on  the  arrival 
of  the  Red  Cross  in  Constantinople.  The  president  and  a  few  officers 
of  the  Red  Cross  arrived  there  on  February  15,  iSy6,  but  it  was  late  in 
the  following  April  before  the  $50,000  was  received.  These  facts  as 
given  are  intended  solely  to  show  the  difficulties  the  committees  had  to 
contend  with  in  raising  the  amount  they  did. 

For  general  information  it  will,  perhaps,  not  be  inappropriate  to 
state  that  all  relief  work  is  governed  and  conducted  on  military  lines  to 
preclude  tlie  possibility  of  confusion,  as  the  Red  Cross  on  fields  of  dis- 
aster is  the  only  organized  body  in  a  disorganized  community.     Thus, 


330  THE   RED   CROSS. 

wherever  the  organization  has  control,  Miss  Barton  has  personal  super- 
vision of  all  departments:  the  financial,  receiving  and  disposing  of  all 
funds;  the  correspondence,  opening  all  letters  and  directing  replies;  the 
field,  assigning  workers  to  attend  to  such  duties  as  are  best  suited  to 
their  various  abilities,  who  report  daily,  if  possible,  and  receive  instruc- 
tions for  the  prosecution  of  the  work,  the  supplies,  receiving  accurate 
reports  of  all  material  and  giving  directions  as  to  its  disposition. 

Gkorge  H.  Pullman. 
Constayitinople,  August  i,  i8g6 


■^^0%--^' 


! 


2 

5^ 


ARMENIA. 


333 


J^JNANCIAL    PAIANCE     SHJ^1£7     OF    THE    KEUEF    FuNDS    AND   SERVICE 

IN  Asia  Minor. 
The  AmeAcan  Nati'^u.l  Red  Cross,  in  account  with  the  Relief  Field 
Mhio'\ 

Dr. 
^'o  The  liatlonal  Relief  Committee      *Ltq. 

The  New  Knghind  Relief  Committee       

The  Worcester  Relief  Committee      

.    The  Ladies'  Relief  Committee,  of  Chicago 

The  Friends  of  Philadelphia,  through  Asa  S.  Wing    .... 

Citizens  of  Newark,  through  C.  H.  Stout,  Esq 

Citizens  of  Milton,  North  Dakota      

St.  George's  Church  S.  S.  through  C.  H.  Stout,  Esq.      .    .    . 

Ransom  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  Wales,  Minn 

The  Davenport,  Iowa,  Relief  Committee 

American  Ladies  in  Geneva,  Switzerland 

Miss  Phillips,  Mission  school,  Ralisori,  India 

Mrs.  Dr.  Galbraith,  Tarentum,  Pa 

"Sailors'  Rest,"  Genoa,  Italy       

A  citizen  of  Chester,  N.  J. 

Miss  Mayham  Winter,  Philadelphia,  Pa 

The  American  National  Red  Cross  (special)      


OF    1896 
of  Asia 


Total 


Cr. 


B^  telegrams  and  cables       Ltq. 

Cash  sent  to  interior       " 

Relief  expeditions,  general      " 

Relief  expeditions,  medical      " 

Wages  account " 

General  expense  account     " 

Red  Cross  headquarters,  Field " 

Stationery  ant  printing " 

Expense  acco.\i<t,  travel  and  maintenance " 

Donations  for  relief  of  orphan  children " 

Emergency  Fund,  deposited  with  W.  W.  Peet " 

Total  " 


14,784  51 

5.667  25 

402   18 

922  50 

481  69 

674  65 

4  66 

40  06 

2  95 
54  78 

585 
13  20 

3  30 
2  33 

02 

I  14 

3.376  66 

26,437  73 


245  12 
18,965  70 

2,917  81 
543  68 
421  20 
138  02 
235  05 
1 28  79 
542  36 
100  00 

2,200  00 


"  26,437  73 

I  have  carefully  examined  the  books,  accounts  and  vouchers  of  the  American 
National  Red  Cross,  in  its  relief  work  in  Asia  Minor,  and  find  everything  correct 
and  accurate. 

(Signed.)  George  Kunzel, 

Accountant,  Aduiinistration  Ottoman  Public  Debt. 
Constantinople.  August  /,  iSg6. 

*  Ltq.    2,223.78  of  this   .<;um    was  Special   Red    Cross  Funds   drawn    from    Browu  Brothers  & 
Company.    Ltq.— Turkish  Lira     about  %\.\a.   Lt.|.  26.417. 71     $116,326.01. 


334  THE   RED   CROSS. 


GENERAL  FIELD  AGENT'S  REPORT. 
Anatolia,  Asia  Minor. 

To  Miss  Clara  Barton,  President: 

In  speaking  of  the  relief  work  in  Asia  Minor,  may  I  be  allowed  to 
begin  at  Constantinople,  at  which  place,  while  waiting  for  the  necessary 
official  papers  for  our  work,  we  were  all  busy  selecting  and  purchasing 
relief  supplies,  camping  outfit,  cooking  utensils,  and  making  other 
preparations  for  interior  travel;  and  also  securing  competent  inter- 
preters and  dragomans.  Although  the  Irade  of  the  Sultan  granting 
permission  to  enter  Asia  Minor  had  not  yet  been  receiv-ed,  we  were 
naturally  anxious  to  follow  the  first  shipment  of  supplies  purchased  and 
sent  by  steamer  to  the  port  of  Alexandretta  as  the  safest  route,  to  be 
forwarded  again  by  camels  under  guard  to  different  places  in  the 
interior;  and  with  our  own  men  to  accompany  and  attend  the  work  of 
distribution.  Accordingly,  accompanied  by  interpreter  Mason,  I  left 
Constantinople  on  the  tenth  of  March,  touching  at  Smyrna,  Latakea, 
Mersina  and  Tripoli,  reaching  Alexandretta  on  the  eighteenth,  and  by 
the  kind  help  of  our  Consular  Agent,  Mr.  Daniel  Walker,  and  Mr. 
John  Falanga,  began  making  up  the  caravans  for  shipment  to  Aintab, 
as  a  central  point  for  the  southern  field. 

By  the  time  the  caravans  were  ready  and  horses  for  travel  selected, 
Mr.  Wistar  and  Mr.  Wood,  with  dragomans,  arrived  by  steamer  from 
Constantinople.  Rev.  Dr.  Fuller,  president  of  the  Aintab  (American) 
College,  had  also  just  come  through  with  friends  from  Aintab  to  take 
steamer,  himself  to  return  again  immediately,  and  together  we  all  set 
out  under  soldier  escort  the  next  morning.  Alexandretta  was  in  a  state 
of  fear  while  we  were  there,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  the  warships  ' 
of  England,  France,  Turkey,  and  the  United  States  lay  in  her  harbor. 
Kirk  Khan,  the  first  stopping  place  on  our  journey  inland,  was 
threatened  with  plunder  and  destruction  on  the  night  before  our  arrival 
there.  At  Killis  we  found  the  town  in  a  state  of  fear  from  the  recent 
massacres.  Here,  with  Dr.  Fuller,  we  visited  the  wounded  who  were 
under  the  good  care  of  a  young  physician  just  from  the  college  at 
Aintab,  but  without  medicine,  surgical  dressings  and  appliances. 
These  with  other  needed  things  we  arranged  to  send  back  to  him  from 
the  supplies  that  had  gone  ahead. 


ARMENIA.  335 

Aiutab,  with  its  American  school,  college,  seminary  and  hospital 
buildings  standing  out  in  relief  and  contrast  from  the  native  buildings, 
was  a  welcome  reminder  of  home  ;  and  the  greeting  of  the  hundreds  of 
pupils  as  they  came  hurrying  down  the  road  to  welcome  back  their  own 
loved  president,  became  a  welcome  for  the  Red  Cross.  We  were  most  cor- 
dially offered  the  hospitality  of  Dr.  Fuller's  house  and  home,  but  as  we 
were  still  strangers  in  a  strange  land,  it  seemed  best  to  place  ourselves 
in  a  khan,  where  we  could  have  better  opportunity  to  make  an  acquain- 
tance with  the  people  to  obtain  the  varied  information  necessary 
to  accomplish  best  results  in  the  disposition  of  our  relief.  Here  we 
remained  long  enough  to  learn  the  needs  of  the  place  and  surrounding 
country,  to  obtain  carefully  prepared  lists  of  those  artisans  needing 
tools  and  implements  for  their  various  trades  and  callings.  Supplies 
were  left,  clothing,  new  goods  for  working  up,  thread,  needles,  thim- 
bles, medicines,  and  surgical  stores. 

Aintab  is  favored  with  its  Mission  Hospital;  with  its  surgeon  and 
physician,  Dr.  Shepard  and  Dr.  Hamilton,  and  a  strong  American 
colony  of  missionary  teachers,  besides  the  Franciscan  Brothers,  who 
are  doing  excellent  select  work.  The  Father  Superior  was  killed  near 
Zeitoun.  Supplies  were  selected  and  mads  up  for  Oorfa,  Aintab, 
Marash  and  other  points,  while  a  quantity  of  supplies,  by  the  kindness 
of  Dr.  Fuller,  was  left  in  storage  in  the  college  building  to  be  forwarded 
as  our  inquiries  should  discover  the  need.  To  Oorfa,  where  the 
industrial  work  had  been  so  successfully  established  by  Miss  Shattuck, 
we  sent  material  and  implements  for  working,  needles,  thread,  thimbles, 
cotton  and  woolen  goods  for  making  up.  To  Marash  and  Zeitoun, 
ready-made  goods  in  addition  to  new,  with  surgical  appliances  and 
medicines. 

From  Aintab,  Mr.  Wood  and  Mr.  Wistar  started  by  way  of  the 
most  distressed  points  needing  help  eastward,  and  then  north  to  Har- 
poot  ;  and  because  of  your  telegram  of  the  report  of  typhus  and 
dysentery  at  Marash  and  Zeitoun,  we  started  in  that  direction,  with 
Rev.  L.  O.  Lee,  who  was  returning  home.  After  facing  rain,  snow 
and  mud  for  three  days  we  came  to  Marash.  Here  we  remained  until 
our  caravan  of  goods  came  on.  Typhus,  dysentery  and  smallpox 
were  spreading  as  a  result  of  the  crowded  state  of  the  city;  Marash 
had  been  filled  with  refugees  since  the  November  massacres,  notwith- 
standing a  large  part  of  its  own  dwelling  houses  had  been  burned  and 
plundered.  The  surrounding  country  had  also  been  pillaged,  people 
killed  and  villages  destroyed,  and  the  frightened  remnant  of  people 
had  crowded  in  here  for  protection,  and  up  to  this  time  had  feared  to 


336  THE   RKD   CROSS. 

return.  With  insufficient  drainage  and  warm  weather  coming  on, 
typhus,  dysentery  and  smallpox  already  in  the  prisons,  an  epidemic 
was  becoming  general.  True,  the  preachers  fcquesied  mothers  not  to 
bn?ig  childrc7i  with  smallpox  to  church,  nevertheless  the  typhus  and 
smallpox  spread,  and  rendered  medical  supervision  a  necessity.  By 
the  efforts  of  Mrs.  Lee  and  Mrs.  Macallum,  wives  of  the  missionaries 
of  the  Marasli  station,  a  hospital  had  been  established  with  plenty  of 
patients,  but  they  had  no  funds  for  physicians  or  medicines.  Medicines 
were  left  and  funds  furnished  for  a  native  doctor  educated  in  America 
(who  himself  had  just  recovered  from  typhus)  and  was  placed  in  charge 
of  the  hospital  and  out-of-door  service,  and  was  doing  efficient  work 
before  we  left  Marash.  Arrangements  were  made  with  Rev.  Mr. 
Macallum  to  have  tools  and  implements  made  and  distributed  to 
artisans  and  villagers;  and  we  left  with  him  to  begin  this  work  the  sum 
which  you  had  sent  for  our  own,  use  500  lire  —  $23,000 

By  this  time  Dr.  Ira  Harris,  whom  you  had  called  from  Tripoli, 
Syria,  with  his  assistants,  arrived  for  the  Zeitoun  field.  Dr.  Harris 
had  his  well-filled  medical  chests  and  surgical  supplies  in  a  mule 
caravan,  and  being  more  needed  at  other  places,  we  left  immediately 
for  Adioman  via  Besnia,  passing  through  Bazarjik  and  Kumaklejercle, 
a  three  days'  mountain  journey.  Our  officer  kindly  told  us,  when  we 
stopped  at  a  Kourdish  village  for  the  night,  to  "order  what  we  want 
and  not  pay  if  we  do  not  want  to."  But  we  made  it  clear  to  him,  that 
while  we  are  not  extravagant  in  our  wants,  ive  always  pay  for  what  we 
take.  It  is  customary  in  this  country  for  villages  to  entertain  soldiers 
free  of  charge.  At  Bazarjik  when  we  inquired  concerning  the  health 
of  the  place,  an  official  said  they  had  no  sickness  except  a  few  cases  of 
smallpox,  and  this  was  confined  to  children — that  his  little  girl  had  it, 
and  she  was  brought  in  as  a  proof. 

Besnia  was  saved  from  pillage  and  massacre  by  the  efforts  of  Pasha 
Youcab,  Osman  Zade,  Mahund  Bey,  and  several  other  Turkish  Beys, 
but  the  surrounding  villages  were  attacked  and  suffered  more  or  less 
severely.  Some  of  the  women  escaped  and  found  protection  in  Besnia, 
where  they  were  still  living.  We  did  some  medical  work  here  and 
left,  in  good  hands,  a  moderate  sum  for  emergencies.  Our  reception  by 
the  officials  at  Besnia,  as  indeed  at  every  place  we  have  been,  large  or 
small,  was  most  cordial  and  friendly.  With  only  an  exception  or  two, 
no  more  considerate  treatment  could  have  been  expected  or  asked  from 
any  people.  Before  reaching  the  city  we  had  heard  that  there  was  a 
feudal  war  in  progress  ahead  of  us,  and  when  the  military  commander 
learned   that   we   were  intending   to   go   to  Adioman,  he  interposed, 


ARMENIA.  337 

saying  he  could  take  no  responsibility  in  sending  us  there  ;  that  he  had 
just  sent  a  hundred  soldiers  out  on  that  road  to  quell  a  riot ;  that  it  was 
dangerous,  but  he  would  give  us  a  good  officer  and  soldiers  for  another 
road  to  Malatia.  This  we  accepted  and  four  days  more  of  mountain 
travel,  via  Paverly,  Soorgoo,  and  Guzena,  brought  us  to  the  fruit  and 
garden  city  of  Malatia,  which  formerly  had  a  population  of  45,000.  It 
is  reported  that  about  1500  houses  were  plundered  and  375  were 
burned,  and  some  thousands  of  persons  killed.  The  people  of  all 
classes  were  still  in  fear. 

A  simi  of  nionoy  from  friends  in  America  had  been  sent  l>y  the 
missionaries,  but  its  distribution  had  been  delayed  several  weeks 
through  some  formality  in  the  post-office,  and  was  but  just  being  made 
the  day  we  arrived.  We  left  here  a  sum  for  special  cases  and  typhus 
patients,  and  with  a  promise  to  return,  pressed  on  to  our  objective 
point,  two  days'  journey  more  across  the  Euphrates  at  Isli  to  Harpoot, 
when  the  limit  of  our  time  would  be  out  for  meeting  the  second  expe- 
dition which  arrived  only  two  hours  ahead  of  us.  Here  the  people 
turned  out  en  masse  to  welcome  the  Red  Cross ;  the  road  was  lined,  the 
streets  and  windows  filled,  and  house  roofs  covered,  and  all  had  words 
of  welcome  on  their  lips.  We  were  told  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Wheeler,  the 
founder  of  the  Mission  and  American  College  of  Central  Turkey,  that 
we  were  the  second  party  of  Americans,  not  missionaries,  that  they  had 
seen  in  Harpoot  in  forty  years.  We  were  most  cordially  met  by  the 
mission  people.  Although  they,  too,  had  been  plundered,  and  most  of 
their  buildings  and  their  homes  had  gone  in  the  flames,  we  were  offered, 
most  kindly,  the  shelter  of  the  remaining  roofs  and  seats  at  their  table 
as  long  as  we  would  stay. 

We  felt  at  home  again,  though  startled,  too,  when  we  stopped  to 
think  we  were  8000  miles  away  and  fifteen  days  by  horseback  to  the 
hearest  steamer  that  might  start  us  on  a  homeward  trip  or  that  could 
carry  a  letter  for  us  to  the  outside  world.  We  had  been  told  from  the 
first  that  Harpoot  was  suffering  more  than  any  other  part  of  the  interior, 
and  here  we  prepared  to  begin  systematic  work  ;  Mr.  Wistar taking  the 
Char-Sanjak  with  Peri  as  a  centre,  the  Harpoot  plain,  and  later  the 
Aghan  villages.  Mr.  Wood  took  the  Palou  district  with  two  hundred 
villages,  and  Silouan  in  the  Vilayet  of  Diarbekir  wath  one  hundred 
and  sixty  villages,  with  the  town  of  Palou  and  the  city  of  Farkin  as 
centers.  While  making  the.se  arrangements  we  received  your  telegram 
of  May  ist :  "  Typhus  and  dysentery  raging  at  Arabkir.  Can  you  send 
doctors  with  medicines  from  Harpoot?  Please  investigate."  Upon 
inquiry  we  found  reported  one  thousand  sick  and  many  dying.  This 
naturally  would  be  my  field. 


338  THE  RED  CROSS. 

After  telegraphing  to  the  various  centres  for  additional  medical 
hclj)  without  success,  we  found  a  native  physician,  educated  in  America, 
Dr.  Hintlian,  at  Harpoot,  who  was  ready  to  go.  Miss  Caroline  Bush 
and  Miss  Seymour  of  the  Mission,  with  unassumed  bravery,  volunteered 
to  accompany  the  expedition.  As  only  one  could  leave,  the  choice  fell 
upon  Miss  Bush.  When  one  reflects  that  this  was  a  slight  little  bod3% 
never  coming  up  to  the  majesty  of  a  hundred  pounds,  with  sensitive 
nature,  delicate  organization,  educated  and  refined  conditions  of  early 
life,  fears  might  well  be  felt  for  the  weight  of  the  lot  assumed;  but  every 
day's  contact  convinced  us  that  the  springs  were  of  the  best  of  steel, 
tempered  by  the  glowing  fires  of  experience,  thus  teaching  us  how  far 
mind  may  be  superior  to  matter. 

On  our  first  night  out,  as  is  frequently  the  custom  in  this  country, 
we  slept  in  the  stable  with  our  horses — and  smaller  aniviah.  On  the 
second  day  in  crossing  the  Euphrates  at  Cabin  Madin,  the  big  wooden 
scoop-shovel  ferryboat  struck  a  rock  in  the  swift  current  mid-stream, 
and  came  very  near  capsizing  with  its  load  of  luggage,  horses  and 
human  beings.  The  boatmen  lost  their  chance  of  making  the  opposite 
shore,  and  we  were  in  the  swift  current  fast  making  for  the  gorge  and 
rapids  below.  I  looked  as  unconcerned  as  I  could  at  Miss  Bush,  only 
to  see  that  she  was  as  calm  as  if  this  was  an  every-day  occurrence  or 
that  she  had  been  from  childhood  accustomed  to  such  experiences. 
We  knew  she  had  not,  only  she  had  lived  long  enough  in  the  interior 
not  to  be  frightened  at  anything  that  might  happen.  However,  another 
rock  was  reached  near  the  blufi"  and  we  unloaded.  Each  leading  his 
horse  and  the  pack  animals  following,  we  climbed  up  over  the  edge  of 
a  precipice,  over  loose  stones,  slippery  earth  and  ragged  rocks,  back  to 
the  landing  we  should  have  made  had  we  gone  directly  across. 

Our  next  day's  travel  was  through  a  cold,  pouring  rain,  into  the 
ruined  city  of  Arabkir,  but  notwithstanding  the  rain,  hundreds  of  people 
stood  in  the  streets  as  we  passed  to  make  their  "salaams"  and  to  say 
their  word  of  welcome  to  those  who  had  come  to  bring  the  gifts  of 
another  land  to  the  suffering,  the  sick  and  needy  of  their  own.  Passing 
through  the  rain,  we  arrived  at  the  native  pastor's  house,  which  had 
been  saved  by  a  Turkish  military  officer  and  cleared  of  refugees  and 
typhus  patients  for  our  installation. 

Nearly  the  entire  city  of  Arabkir  was  in  ruins,  only  heaps  of  stones 
where  houses  had  been.  Out  of  eighteen  hundred  homes  but  few 
remained;  the  markets  as  well  as  the  dwellings  were  destroyed,  and  the 
people,  plundered  and  destitute,  were  crowded  into  the  few  remaining 
houses,  down  with  the  typhus.     We  were  told  that  six  hundred  had 


ARMENIA.  339 

already  died  of  the  disease,  and  llie  people's  physician,  the  only  one  in 
that  part  of  the  country,  was  in  prison.  Later  we  were  told  that  the 
arrival  of  help  changed  the  character  of  the  disease  the  moment  it  was 
known  that  we  had  come.  Miss  Bush  went  with  us  directly  into  the 
sick  rooms,  and  the  presence  of  a  woman  gave  cheer  and  strength.  A 
hundred  patients  were  seen  daily.  After  the  first  wants  of  the  typhus 
patients  had  been  met  the  long  neglected  surgical  cases  were  looked 
after,  and  many  lives  and  limbs  were  saved.  The  medical  and  surgical 
efforts  gave  gratifying  results,  of  which  Dr.  Hintlian  will  make  a  special 
report  from  his  daily  record. 

Immediately  upon  our  arrival  the  Gregorian  church  and  school 
buildings,  which  escaped  destruction,  were  offered  for  our  use  as  a  hos- 
pital. These  rooms  were  admirably  adapted  fur  this  purpose,  but  hy 
selecting  and  employing  persons  already  in  need  of  help  as  assistants 
and  nurses  we  found  that  we  could  better  care  for  the  sick  in  their  own 
quarters  than  to  attempt  to  remove  thera  to  a  hospital,  where  the  con- 
gregation of  sick  would  only  be  increased.  To  give  employment  was 
the  o?ie  thing  needed  for  the  well,  therefore  we  made  no  hospitals,  but 
employed  competent,  healthy  women  in  need,  instructed  and  put  them 
to  care  for  sick  families  also  in  need,  but  of  another  kind.  The  piaster 
a  woman  earned  for  a  day's  work  gave  food  for  herself  and  for  her  own 
family,  and  gave  the  sick  family  the  services  necessary  to  save  their 
lives.     The  necessary  beds  for  the  patients  were  furnished. 

A  sheep  or  a  goat  given  where  there  was  a  helpless  babe  or  mother 
would  give  food  for  both,  and  be  a  permanent  property  that  would  grow 
by  the  increase  of  its  own  young.  A  small  sum  for  fowls  would  be  a 
gift  that  would  furnish  more  than  its  value  in  eggs  for  food  for  present 
use.  It  would  prove  a  small  investment  that  must  multiply  in  kind  and 
value  as  chicks  were  hatched.  While  medical  work  was  going  on  other 
forms  of  relief  were  also  in  progress.  A  supply  of  tools  had  been 
ordered  from  Harpoot,  directly  upon  our  arrival,  for  blacksmiths,  car- 
penters, tinkers,  masons,  stone  workers,  etc.  The  black.smiths  were 
set  to  work  making  sickles  for  cutting  grass  and  reaping  grain;  .shovels, 
plows  and  other  implements  for  farmers.  Others  were  put  at  making 
spinning-wheels  for  the  destitute  women,  who  with  these  could  earn 
their  own  living;  others  made  weaving  looms.  Out  of  the  twelve  hun- 
dred hand  looms  formerly  in  the  city  it  was  said  only  forty  remained. 
Arabkir  was  the  chief  manufacturing  centre  for  native  cotton  cloth, 
and  if  a  man  had  a  loom  which  would  cost  three  medjidieh  (about 
$2.50)  he  could  earn  his  own  family's  living.  FielO  lud  garden  seeds 
were  bought  in  quantity  and  distributed. 


340 


THE   RKD   CROSS. 


For  the  villages  which  had  no  cattle  we  gave  oxen  for  plowing  the 
fields.     Sometimes  with  the  oxen,  cows  were  given,  with  instructionc 


SOME   METHODS   OF   WORK. 


that  in  this  stress  of  need  the  cows  should  be  made  to  work  with  the 
oxen,  even  while  they  were  giving  milk  for  the  family.     Thus  they 


SALEMLIK. 


J'KRA    HRIDGK,   CONSTANTINOPCIi. 


TURKISH  COFFEE   HOUSE. 


MANNhK    (11-    CAKKVING    HEAVY   BURDENS. 


ARMENIA.  343 

would  secure  a  double  service  for  one  outlay.  Melkon  Miranshahian, 
the  druggist,  kindly  offered  his  services,  and  we  arranged  with  him  tc 
take  up  special  cases  and  to  continue  to  care  for  them  after  we  would 
no  longer  be  able  to  remain  on  the  field.  Then,  feeling  that  we  might 
safely  leave  this  work  in  the  hands  of  Dr.  Hintlian,  we  went  to  Egin 
to  arrange  for  distribution  in  the  Aghan  villages.  Miss  Bush  accom- 
panying. 

The  inquiry  will  naturally  be  made  as  to  how  relief  was  received. 
The  gratitude  of  the  people  was  almost  overwhelming  at  times.  If 
you  could  only  have  heard  the  blessings  that  were  poured  out  upon  Clara 
Barton,  the  Red  Cross,  and  the  good  people  everywhere  who  have 
aided,  you  would  realize  that  deep  as  the  need,  so  fervent  and  sincere 
have  been  the  thankful  prayers  and  blessings  that  the  unfortunate  peo- 
ple who  survive  the  massacre  could  alone  render  to  all  who  help  them. 
To  you  and  your  name  especially  were  they  responsive.  Of  all  this,  I 
would  say  we  often  had  most  gratifying  evidence  and  expression  on  the 
lonely  roads,  in  the  stricken  homes,  and  through  personal  letters  from 
many  sources. 

When  we  were  some  six  miles  out  on  the  road  to  Egin,  we  met  the 
leading  men  of  the  village  of  Shepik  coming  to  town;  they  had  heard 
that  we  were  going  away  soon,  and  the  villagers  had  sent  this  committee 
to  Arabkir  to  express  their  gratitude  for  what  they  had  received  and  for 
all  that  had  been  done  for  them.  This  was  five  or  six  weeks  after  we 
had  made  a  distribution  of  seeds,  and  as  we  came  in  sight  of  their  vil- 
lage we  saw  gardens  green  with  onions,  potatoes,  beans,  cucumbers, 
melons,  squash,  pumpkins,  etc.,  from  the  seeds  we  had  given.  Here, 
too,  the  women  were  in  the  Eelds  cutting  the  grass  and  grain  with 
the  sickles  which,  theblacksmith  had  made  from  the  iron  and  steel  we  had 
furnished.  The  men  were  plowing  with  the  plows  and  oxen  we  had 
supplied  and,  notwithstanding  they  had  been  plundered  of  every  mov- 
able thing  and  their  houses  burned  or  destroyed,  there  was  an  air  of 
prosperity  in  the  fields  that  banished  thoughts  of  want  or  suffering. 
We  rode  on  past  the  little  room  where  the  school  was  kept  and  every 
child  rose  to  his  feet  and  made  a  most  profound,  though  youthful  bow 
to  our  passing  company. 

Egin  is  an  old,  strangely  beautiful  city,  inhabited  by  the  descend- 
ants of  the  noble  families  of  Mosul  (XINEVEII)  who  fled  to  this  moun- 
tain stronghold  on  the  Euphrates  during  the  Persian  invasion,  many 
years  ago,  and  they  arc  still  a  royal  and  gentle  people.  At  Egin  the 
of^cials  declared  it  unsafe  for  us  to  go  to  the  villages  as  we  had  pro- 
posed.   Accordingly  we  made  purchases  in  this  market  and  sent  them 


344 


THE  RED   CROSS. 


to  the  needy  points.  Egin  had  bought  the  Kourds  off  with  1500  lire, 
and  consequently  it  had  remained  up  to  the  date  of  our  arrival 
unharmed  through  all  the  destruction  about  it.  We  also  left  a  sum  of 
money  with  a  responsible  committee  for  eight  vnifortunate  villages,  and 
did  what  medical  work  we  could  in  our  short  sta)\  We  then  returned 
to  Harpoot. 

On  our  road  back,  Miss  Bush  had  with  her  a  young  girl  whom  we 
were  taking  to  Harpoot  for  safety  (we  had  frequent  charges  of  this  kind), 
and  she  wanted  me  to  stop  at  her  favorite  beautiful  village  of  Biervan, 
for  a  pleasant  picture  to  carry  back  in  memory  to  America.  We  had  a 
long  day's  journey  at  best  to  reach  our  village,  and  had  met  with 
delays;  four  hours  in  the  morning  waiting  for  a  zaptieh.  Our  muleteer 
left  us  at  the  ferry  some  twelve  miles  back,  in  order  to  stop  over  night 
at  his  own  village;  and  the  second  zaptieh  was  two  hours  late,  but 
having  started  we  must  keep  on  through  the  mountain  pass,  and  it  was 
ten  o'clock  at  night  when  we  reached  the  village.  Our  zaptieh  took  us 
to  the  house  of  the  "  Villageman  "  (each  village  is  provided  with  such 
a  personage  whose  duty  it  is  to  see  that  shelter  is  provided  for  travel- 
ers). We  rode  up  together  and  the  zaptieh  pounded  on  the  door.  The 
dog  on  the  roof  barked  viciously,  then  all  the  dogs  in  the  village  barked. 
A  woman  on  another  roof  above  this  one  raised  herself  and  talked,  then 
shouted  down  the  chimney-hole  (the  roof  is  the  sleeping  place  in  warm 
weather),  after  a  time  she  pointed  wdth  her  hand  and  the  zaptieh  started 
off  in  the  direction  indicated;  the  moon  had  gone  down  and  it  was  too 
dark  to  see  anything  distinctly.  He  came  to  a  small  pile,  poked  it  with 
his  foot,  punched  it  with  his  gun,  kicked  it. 

After  a  time  a  part  of  the  pile  raised  itself  in  a  sort  of  surprised 
astonishment,  ni3'Stified,  uncertain,  complicated  attitude — evidently 
looking  at  the  "  poker."  Then  the  pile  expressed  itself  emphatically, 
the  zaptieh  did  the  same  more  emphaticall}-,  each  in  turn  louder  and 
louder,  all  with  necessary  and  unnecessary  gesticulation.  Then  the 
pile  got  up  and  began  on  our  servants  for  having  the  pack  mules  and 
animals  on  his  roof  After  these  had  been  led  off  the  house,  he  wanted 
to  know  what  we  came  there  for  anyway,  at  that  time  of  night,  to  wake 
him  up  when  there  were  six  other  villages  we  could  have  gone  to;  why 
didn't  we  go  to  one  of  them  ?  Then  our  zaptieh  changed  his  tone  and 
attitude  and  in  the  most  polite,  persuasive,  pleading  voice  and  manner, 
tried  to  explain  that  he  himself  was  not  to  blame  for  all  this  trouble, 
he  was  under  orders  and  had  to  come  with  these  people;  he  couldn't 
help  doing  his  duty.  But  this  made  no  impression,  and  we  were  told 
there  was  no  place  for  us. 


ARMENIA.  345 

None  could  be  found  at  this  time  of  night;  besides  there  was  no 
barley  for  the  horses,  and  nothing  was  to  be  done  unless  it  was  to  go  on 
and  try  another  village.  Our  zaptieh  seemed  to  have  exhausted  his 
resources  and  said  no  more.  Other  villagers  had  come  and  were  stand- 
ing around  the  "  villageman,"  who  still  insisted  that  he  could  do 
nothing.  Miss  Bush  quietly  suggested  ''  Arge?iijcm.'"  We  got  down 
from  our  horse,  went  around  carelessly,  and  slipped  a  "  cherek  "  (a  five 
piaster  piece)  into  his  fingers.  He  took  and  felt  of  it,  and  then  went 
away  without  a  word.  After  about  ten  minutes  he  returned  with  a 
light,  a  door  was  opened  close  beside  us,  and  we  unloaded  our  animals, 
put  them  all  in,  took  in  the  luggage,  went  in  ourselves,  got  our  supper, 
spread  our  blankets,  drove  away  our  audience  of  villagers,  fastened  the 
stable  door  and  announced  to  ourselves  that  we  were  one  hour  into  the 
"next  day,"  and  went  to  sleep.  We  were  off  again  the  next  morning 
before  the  sun  was  up.  This  is  a  sample  incideut  of  what  happened  in 
frequent  variation  during  interior  travel. 

At  Harpoot  we  arranged  for  supplying  tools  and  cattle  to  the 
remaining  villages  which  we  failed  to  reach  from  Egin.  Here,  too,  we 
found  Mr.  Wistar  busy  supplying  harvesting  and  threshing  implements, 
and  cattle  for  plowing  in  the  Harpoot  plain  and  villages.  In  this 
vilayet  there  are  upwards  of  two  hundred  villages  either  plundered  or 
wholly  destroyed,  and  from  these  many  persons  of  all  classes  came  for 
medical  or  surgical  help. 

Preparations  were  made  to  work  in  Malatia,  where,  some  weeks 
before,  we  had  ordered  supplies  and  medicines  sent  to  be  ready  for  our 
arrival,  but  owing  to  the  unsettled  conditions  there,  no  such  work  could 
be  done  to  advantage.  The  time  for  our  return  to  Constantinople  was 
drawing  near  and  on  the  twenty-seventh  of  June  we  were  ready  to  start 
for  the  Black  Sea.  We  called  to  pay  our  respects  to  the  governor  of 
Harpoot  and  found  him  as  cordial  as  he  had  always  been.  Inquiries 
were  made  and  explanations  given,  so  that  he  might  more  thoroughly 
understand  the  character  and  purposes  of  the  Red  Cross,  His  Excel- 
lency remarked  that  it  gave  to  those  engaged  in  the  work  great  oppor- 
tunities to  become  acquainted  with  different  countries,  and  that  we 
must  have  found  Turkey  the  most  difficult  of  them  all  to  work  in.  He 
regretted  that  he  himself  had  been  of  so  little  assistance  to  our  efforts, 
etc.,  but  we  took  pleasure  in  saying  that  he  had  done  at  all  times  all 
that  we  had  asked  and  ofttimes  more.  Speaking  for  those  associated 
with  our  work  I  could  safely  say  that  all  the  recollections  of  our 
personal  relations  with  the  vali  of  Harpoot  will  remain  with  us  as 
pleasant  and  satisfactory. 


346  THE  RED  CROSS. 

The  principal  food  and  the  main  crop  of  the  interior  is  wheat,  and  this 
year's  growth  wherever  we  have  been  is  reported  to  be  unusually  good. 
If  the  wheat  can  be  distributed  where  the  destitution  will  be  this 
coming  winter,  many  lives  may  be  saved;  if  not,  many  must  inevitably 
be  lost  for  want  of  food.  When  we  left  the  Harpoot  valley  harvesting 
had  well  begun,  and  was  even  more  briskly  going  on  as  we  neared  the 
Euphrates,  which  we  crossed  for  the  last  time  at  Isli  on  the  twenty- 
ninth  of  June.  The  usual  Euphrates  ferry-boat  is  twenty-four  to  thirty 
feet  long,  eight  feet  wide,  and  two  feet  high  at  one  end  and  eight  at  the 
other  where  a  rudder,  or  sweep,  forty  feet  long  is  hung.  An  American 
frequently  sees  methods  of  work  and  management  that  lead  him  some- 
times, when  first  traveling,  to  make  suggestions.  After  seeing  the 
ferrymen  upon  many  occasions  putting  loaded  wagons  on  the  boat, 
lifting  them  by  main  force  some  two  or  three  feet  with  much  awkward- 
ness over  the  edge  of  the  craft,  we  ventured  to  suggest  that  two  planks 
laid  on  the  bank  and  end  of  the  boat  so  as  to  roll  the  wagons  in  or 
out  would  save  much  trouble  and  time  and  extra  help  and  labor.  We 
were  met  with  this  unanswerable  reply:    "  Who  would  pay  for  them  ?  " 

To  Malatia  we  carried  money  to  the  people  from  their  relatives  in 
America  which  had  been  entrusted  to  Dr.  Barnura  at  Harpoot.  We  also 
left  in  the  hands  of  a  responsible  committee  a  fund  for  artisans'  tools, 
and  a  smaller  sum  for  food  and  supplies  in  special  needy  cases.  The 
feeling  of  security  among  the  people  in  Malatia  was  entirely  absent. 
They  had  seen  terrible  slaughter.  They  were  possessed  with  fear 
to  such  an  extent  that  we  could  meet  very  few  of  them;  and  had  we 
not  known,  that  it  was  Doctor  Gates'  Plan  to  visit  the  place  soon  with 
assistants  and  means  from  Harpoot  it  would  have  pained  us  still  more 
to  leave  them  in  their  terrible  condition,  for  we  could  not  remain  to 
carry  on  the  work,  and  an  unwise  or  untimely  effort  often  fails  of  its 
end  or  only  aggravates  the  conditions  it  seeks  to  relieve. 

The  sun  is  extremely  hot  during  the  summer  in  the  interior,  hence 
when  the  moon  was  favorable  we  traveled  by  night,  leaving  the  saddle 
long  enough  to  sleep  in  the  "Araba  "  (a  sort  of  small,  springless,  cov- 
ered wagon  used  where  there  are  roads)  so  as  to  have  the  day  to  work 
in  while  our  horses  rested.  When  we  could  do  so  in  our  journey  we 
left  funds  for  specified  purposes,  but  frequently  the  sufferers  felt  safer 
without  such  assistance  and  declined  to  receive  it.  At  Sivas  we  gave 
a  fund  for  farmers'  tools.  Here  the  grain  crop  was  later  than  in  the 
valleys  further  south.  We  also  left  here  with  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Perry 
and  Hubbard,  a  horse,  in  order  to  facilitate  their  relief  work.  From 
Malatia  se-\'eral  families  and  individuals  placed  themselves  under  the 


ARMENIA.  347 

protection  of  the  Red  Cross  and  its  guards  in  order  to  go  in  safely  to 
the  coast.  A  portion  of  this  road  is  infested  with  brigands  and  a  strong 
guard  is  necessary,  in  fact  it  is  needed  throughout  the  whole  region. 
The  government  took  particular  care  of  us  by  giving  us  a  brigand  as  a 
special  guard  through  the  dangerous  part  of  the  road,  saying  that  we 
should  be  safer  with  him  than  with  the  regular  military  guard.  A  few 
weeks  before  a  rich  caravan  was  robbed  on  this  road,  and  when  we 
passed  we  had  the  interesting  pleasure  of  taking  tea  and  journeying 
for  a  while  with  the  chief  of  these  brigands  who  had  two  days  before 
been  enlisted  in  government  service.  With  the  ample  government  pro- 
tection we  have  at  all  times  had,  we  seldom  felt  concern  for  our  personal 
safety,  notwithstanding  that  in  places  where  we  visited  there  was  often 
a  great  deal  of  anxiety  and  fear  on  the  part  of  the  people  for  their  own 
safety  and  that  of  their  friends,  or  their  property  if  they  had  any. 

Tokat  and  Amasia  were  on  our  homeward  route — the  latter  plact 
being  the  site  of  the  ancient  castle  of  Mithridates,  King  of  Pontus, 

At  Samsoun  we  had  two  saddle  horses  to  dispose  of,  and  our  con- 
sular agent,  Mr.  Stephapopale,  having  a  stable,  kindly  offered  to  sell 
them  to  the  best  profit  for  us,  and  to  see  that  the  proceeds  were  used  in 
aiding  the  refugees  who  crowd  to  the  coast  in  the  hope  of  getting 
farther  on,  but  only  find  themselves  stranded  and  iniable  to  return, 
becoming  thereby  veritable  sufferers. 

On  the  sixteenth  of  July  we  reached  the  Bosphorus,  four  months 
and  six  days  from  the  time  w^e  started  out  from  Constantinople  for  the 
interior,  glad  of  the  privilege  and  power  we  haveenjo>ed  as  messen- 
gers to  carry  some  of  the  gifts  that  have  been  entrusted  to  your  care 
by  the  people  of  America  for  the  innocent,  unfortunate  sufferers  of 
Anatolia. 

Wherever  we  have  met  the  missionaries,  Protestant  or  Catholic,  we 
have  found  them  devoting  most,  if  not  all,  of  their  time  to  the  work  of 
relieving  the  suffering  about  them,  regardless  of  sect  or  nationalitj-; 
but  in  all  cases  their  fields  of  work  have  been  greater  than  their  strength 
or  their  means.  With  them  we  have  worked  always  harmoniously  and 
without  consciousness  of  difference  of  place  or  creed;  and  to  them  and 
to  many  others  we  are  indebted  for  courtesies  and  for  hospitalities  that 
will  always  be  remembered  with  gratitude. 

The  real  work  of  the  relief  expedition  was  greatly  aided  by  the 
hearty  co-operation  of  every  European  and  American  resident  with 
whom  we  came  in  contact.  Each  did  all  in  his  power  for  our  aid,  and 
we  regret  that  space  forbids  our  telling  how  each  gave  his  support  and 
help. 


348  THE   RED   CROSS. 

At  Egin  we  will  ever  remember  the  generous  hospitality  during 
our  short  stay  with  the  families  of  Nicoghos  Agha  Jangochyau  and 
Alexander  Effendi  Kasabyan,  noblemen,  who  by  their  energy  and 
liberality  saved  the  city  and  people  from  destruction,  while  the  country 
round  about  was  being  plundered  and  burned,  and  who  gave  us  great 
assistance  in  furnishing  tools  and  implements  to  this  section  of  the 
country. 

Not  long  after  leaving  Egin  we  learned  the  sad  news  that  these 
gentlemen  with  nearly  a  thousand  others  had  been  killed.  These 
families  were  the  centre  of  a  large  community  of  the  most  charming 
and  cultivated  people  we  had  met. 

To  the  Turkish  officials  everywhere  we  are  grateful  for  their  care- 
ful supervision  of  our  personal  safety,  and  for  the  general  personal 


RED  CROSS  EXPEDITIONS  PASSING  THROUGH  THE  VAI.I.EV  OE  CATCH  BEARD. 

freedom  allowed  ourselves  wherever  we  worked.  To  the  officers  and 
guards  who  always  accompanied  us  in  our  journeys  through  cold  and 
heat,  on  the  road  by  night  or  day,  over  desolate  plain  or  mountain 
trail,  for  bringing  us  safely  through  from  sea  to  sea  without  a  scratch 
or  harm  of  any  kind,  for  all  this  we  are  most  assuredly  grateful,  and 
oft  recall  the  cheerful  vigilant  service  and  special  courtesies  we  enjoyed 
at  their  hands,  which  could  only  be  prompted  by  the  most  friendly 
feelings  and  consideration. 

But  we  do  not  forget,  dear  Miss  Barton,  that  the  success  of  this 
expedition  is  due  to  your  careful  and  constant  oversight  and  direction 
of  all  our  movements,  from  the  seat  of  government  at  Constantinople, 


ARMENIA. 


349 


Irom  first  to  last,  and  to  the  conviction  which  you  had  impressed  upon 
the  Sublime  Porte  of  your  own  and  your  officers'  honesty,  integrity 
and  singleness  of  purpose.  Hence  for  your  statesmanship  and  general- 
ship and  constant  oversight,  we  would  express  our  warmest  gratitude. 

We  are  grateful  for  the  gratitude  of  the  people  we  tried  to  relieve. 
It  was  universal  and  sincere.  The  kindness  with  which  we  were  every- 
where welcomed,  and  the  assistance  so  cordially  rendered  by  all  the 
noble  men  and  women,  with  whom  it  has  been  my  good  fortune  to 
become  personally  acquainted.  Surrounded  as  they  were  with  desola- 
tion, dangers  and  misery,  they  will  be  remembered  for  their  worth  and 
devotion  to  duty. 

Constantinople,  August  i,  i8g6.  J.  B.  Hubbell. 


A  TUVKIiH   -WEDDING   PROCESSION   IN   ARABKIJU 


350  THl'    RED   CROSS, 


MEDICAL   REPORT. 

Dr.  Ira  Harris,  resident  American  physician  at  Tripoli,  Syria,  a 
gentleman  of  high  attainments,  Christian  character,  scholarship  and 
service,  who  directs  a  large  private  hospital  and  practice  of  his  own, 
honored  the  Red  Cross  and  contributed  largely  to  the  beneficence  of 
his  and  our  own  people's  efforts  to  relieve  and  rebuild  the  people  of 
Asia  Minor,  by  accepting  a  commission  to  command  an  expedition  for 
the  relief  of  the  fever-stricken  thousands,  residents  and  refugees, 
crowded  into  the  cities  of  Marash  and  Zeitoun.  The  reports  received 
from  consuls  and  missionaries  presented  a  terrible  condition  of  affairs, 
threatening  the  lives  of  thousands  by  pestilence  and  hunger,  more 
rapidly  than  the  Circassian  knife  and  the  Kourdish  spear  and  bullet  had 
done  Our  own  special  agents  were  all  in  charge  of  difficult  and  dis- 
tant fields,  and  none  could  be  spared  to  this  section.  After  various 
disappointments,  aided  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Post  atBeyrout,  Dr.  Ira  Harris 
was  reached  and  asked  to  aid  in  organizing  and  forming  a  relic  f  expe- 
dition at  once.  Besides  himself  as  director,  six  other  physicians  and 
two  pharmacists  were  required.  Dr.  Harris,  though  burdened  with 
hospital  patients  and  promised  operations,  finally  decided  to  proceed  to 
Beyrout  and  meet  Dr.  Post,  taking  with  him  his  own  assistant  and 
pharmacist.  Dr.  Hubbell  had  already  been  Dr.  Harris'  guest  and  this 
fact  aided  the  latter' s  acceptance.  At  Beyrout  time  was  .'•^pent  in  exam- 
ining medical  applicants,  most  of  whom  withdrew  however  on  learning 
of  the  dangers  before  them.  Two  Protestant  doctors  were  secured  on 
the  second  day,  and  so  with  half  the  needed  medical  force  at  hand,  the 
supplies  and  stores  were  quickly  purchased  and  packed  for  travel. 
Arrangements  at  Tripoli  for  the  care  of  Dr.  Harris'  own  patients  were 
then  made,  and  upon  the  third  of  April  our  fourth  expedition  was 
under  way.  A  route  was  chosen  via  Mersene  and  Adana.  At  the 
latter  city  some  delay  was  occasioned  by  the  rumors  of  incursions  of 
bandit  tribes  to  neighboring  towns  and  villages  and  an  insufficient 
military  escort  available.  After  trying  in  vain  two  or  three  days,  to 
influence  the  local  authorities  Dr.  Harris  telegraphed  to  Red  Cross 
headquarters  for  assistance.  The  matter  was  immediately  brought  to 
the  attention  of  the  Porte,  through  the  United  States  Legation,  and 
within  an  hour  an  imperial  order  was  sent  to  the  governor  of  Adana. 
As  fine  a  mounted  Turkish  soldier  guard  as  ever  escorted  an  expedition 


JUDGE  ALEXANDER  W.  TERRELL, 
United  States  Minister  to  Constantinople  during  the  Armenian  troubles. 


ARMENIA.  353 

was  at  once  found,  and  Dr.  Harris  with  his  corps  of  assistants,  hastened 
on  to  Marash,  where  he  was  welcomed  by  Dr.  Hubbell  of  our  first 
expedition,  on  the  eighteenth  of  April,  after  five  days  of  severe  travel. 
Dr.  Harris'  report  was  embodied  in  a  letter.  After  enumerating  the 
trials  at  Adana,  from  which  he  was  so  quickly  freed  by  the  order  from 
the  Porte,  the  doctor  in  his  communication  says: 


We  found  that  the  medical  work  was  being  cared  for  by  native  physicians, 
and  the  missionaries  and  their  wives  were  caring  for  the  other  relief  work,  one 
feature  of  which  seemed  to  me  very  valuable  indeed,  i.e.,  the  making  of  clothing 
by  poor  women  from  the  material  sent  by  you  from  Constantinople  or  purchased 
by  Dr.  Hubbell  in  Marash.  I  wish  the  dear  people  in  America  who  gave  of  their 
means,  could  see  with  their  own  eyes  the  condition  of  thousands  in  these 
districts  alone.  The  hundreds  of  women,  almost  destitute  of  covering,  and  that 
a  mass  of  rags.  It  does  not  require  much  thought  to  realize  the  value  of  good 
clothing  at  such  a  time. 

A  consultation  was  held  and  our  party  decided  to  proceed  to  Zeitoun,  just 
as  soon  as  our  weary  bodies  were  rested.  Unfortunately  the  day  after  we 
arrived  I  had  a  severe  chill  and  fever  which  prostrated  me  for  several  days.  As 
the  symptoms  seemed  to  resemble  typhus  fever  the  doctors  remained  with  me 
until  a  clear  diagnosis  was  made  by  the  fever  leaving  me  on  Thursday.  The 
next  day  the  party  went  to  Zeitoun  with  Mr.  Macallum,  I  following  three  days 
later. 

I  have  witnessed  scenes  of  suffering,  both  in  the  United  States  and  the 
Orient,  but  never,  to  my  dying  day,  will  I  be  able  to  dismiss  from  my  mind 
the  horror  of  the  pinched,  haggard  faces  and  forms  that  gathered  about  me  that 
first  day.  Before  we  left  the  tent  one  of  the  doctors  said:  "We  will  now  see 
the  place  is  full  of  walking  skeletons. ' '  This  expressed  fully  their  condition. 
Just  imagine  a  place  having  a  normal  population  of  12,500  living  all  told  in 
1403  houses,  you  can  see  there  is  not  much  cubic  space  to  spare ;  then  imagine 
7000  or  more  refugees  to  be  provided  for  in  the  town  also.  Some  of  the 
Zeitounes  gave  shelter  to  a  small  number,  but  the  greater  majority  lived  on  the 
street,  under  the  houses,  in  many  instances  too  vile  to  be  of  use  to  its  owner; 
in  cow  and  donkey  stables  with  the  animals;  in  spaces  in  close  proximity  to 
water-closets;  in  fact  not  a  place  that  even  suggested  shelter  was  unoccupied. 
The  smell  and  presence  of  human  excrement  were  everywhere,  and  this,  added 
to  divers  other  odors,  made  the  air  a  fit  place  for  the  culture  of  disease  germs. 
So  much  for  the  hygienic  conditions  of  the  place. 

Diseases. — I  regret  that  I  am  unable  to  give  the  exact  number  of  those 
afflicted  with  each  individual  disease;  to  ascertain  this  would  have  taken  too 
much  valuable  time.  We  found  it  a  difficult  task  even  to  make  a  true  estimate 
of  the  number  ill  with  acute  diseases.  Our  first  estimate  sent  you,  viz.,  1400 
dysentery  and  diarrhoea,  600  typhus  fever,  afterwards  proved  nearly  correct,  i.e., 
'f  we  take  about  three  hundred  from  the  typhus  and  add  to  the  dysentery. 
These  were  acute  cases.  Of  the  refugees,  ninety-eight  per  cent  complained  and 
20 


354  THE  RICD  CROSS. 

were  treated  for  diseases  such  as  chronic  dysentery,  diarrhoea,  dropsy  (usually 
those  recovering  from  typhus),  rheumatism,  bronchitis,  dyspepsia,  malaria;  all 
were  suffering  from  anaemia  and  debility. 

Causes. — Overcrowding  and  bad  air;  but  that  condition  bordering  on  star- 
vation was  the  principal  cause  of  all  the  sickness.  I  should  add,  many  of  the 
cases  of  diarrhcea  were  caused  from  eating  a  soup  made  from  grass,  weeds, 
buds  and  leaves  of  shrubs  and  trees.  In  fact  anything  green  that  could  be 
gathered  in  the  fields  was  boiled  in  water  to  which  a  small  quantity  of  flour 
was  added.  V  This  diet  was  especially  dangerous  to  children. 

Treatment. — We  were  soon  convinced  that  if  we  expected  to  gain  the  upper 
hand  of  all  this  sickness  and  save  even  a  remnant  of  the  refugees,  we  must  first 
feed  the  sick,  and  then  when  they  were  well — to  give  the  former  every  possible 
chance  to  get  well,  and  to  prevent  the  well  from  becoming  ill.  Second,  we 
must  try  in  every  way  in  our  power  to  get  the  refugees  to  return  to  their  homes, 
or  at  all  events  to  camp  out  in  the  fields.  The  first  day  we  filled  the  hospital 
opened  by  Consul  Barnum  with  cases  off  the  street,  and  from  that  time  on  we 
increased  hospital  facilities  as  fast  as  possible.  We  engaged  two  men  and  one 
woman  to  care  for  the  hospital ;  four  interpreters  and  one  assistant  for  the 
pharmacist.  We  then  divided  the  town  into  districts  so  as  to  systematically  get 
at  every  sick  person.  Then  we  hired  (for  we  could  get  nothing  without  a  sys- 
tem of  bargaining  as  to  price)  two  large  copper  kettles  used  to  make  grape 
molasses,  and  purchased  two  hundred  pounds  of  beef  and  made  a  strong,  rich 
soup.  We  then  strained  every  nerve  to  get  a  soup  ticket  into  the  possession  of 
every  sick  person.  We  did  not  waste  time  by  trying  to  cull  out  the  impostors; 
in  fact  there  were  very  few  of  this  class,  all  the  refugees  were  needy  and 
hungry.  The  second  day  we  added  three  kettles,  and  to  supply  the  number  we 
served  at  ten  o'clock  clear  meat  broth;  at  four  o'clock  thick  soup  of  beef  and 
rice.  By  the  end  of  the  third  day  every  sick  person  was  receiving  food.  Then 
all  complaints  of  vomiting  the  medicine  ceased. 

The  problem  then  to  be  met  was — how  to  get  the  people  to  go  outside  the 
town.  We  suggested  that  if  they  would,  we  would  place  a  soup  kettle  out  in 
the  open  fields  to  the  south,  north  and  east,  and  in  addition  to  the  soup  we 
would  give  them  flour.  This  had  a  very  decided  effect,  for  one  thousand  went 
the  first  day.  The  moving  continued  until  every  person  living  on  the  streets  and 
in  cow  stables  had  built  for  himself  shelters  of  twigs  and  leaves.  Now  the 
butchers  saw  a  chance  of  applying  the  plan  of  putting  up  the  price  of  meat 
from  seven  to  fourteen  piasters  per  oke  (2^  pounds).  But  we  had  anticipated 
this  and  sent  men  to  a  friendly  Moslem  village  to  purchase  cattle.  So  their 
scheme  failed.  By  the  end  of  the  second  week  there  were  no  hungry  people  in 
Zeitoun. 

Results. — The  typhus  cases  began  to  recover,  the  new  cases  took  on  a  mild 
form,  the  same  could  be  said  of  dysentery.  The  new  cases  of  both  became  less 
and  less  until  they  almost  disappeared.  The  most  marked  improvement  was  the 
rapidity  which  the  daily  funerals  in  the  three  burying  grounds  decreased.  I 
watched  these  places  with  deep  interest,  for  they  were  a  thermometer  to  gauge 
the  success  of  our  work,  and  it  was  with  deep  gratitude  to  God  that  we  saw  the 
daily  burials  reduced  from  fifteen  to  none.  So  much  for  the  acute  cases.  The 
first  week  the  chronic  cases  took  the  entire  time  of  one  doctor,  each  taking  our 


ARMENIA.  355 

regular  turn.  Tonic  treatment  and  food  so  reduced  the  number  that  sixty 
became  the  daily  average  at  the  end  of  the  second  week.  At  the  end  of  the 
third  week,  fell  to  ten.  Our  pharmacist,  Shickri  Fakhuri,  proved,  as  he  always 
has,  a  jewel.  His  hands  were  full  to  prepare  the  prescriptions  of  three  doctors. 
At  first  it  was  necessary  for  one  of  us  to  give  him  assistance  of  an  hour  or  so 
daily.  On  the  twentieth  of  May  we  felt  we  could  leave  the  town  free  of  acute 
typhus  and  dysentery.  We  gave  to  the  committee  selected  by  Mr.  Macallum, 
funds  enough  to  keep  the  soup  kettles  going  for  one  week,  and  200  liras  ($880) 
worth  of  flour,  which  would  suffice  for  at  least  si.K  weeks,  and  by  that  time  it 
was  hoped  that  all  the  refugees  would  have  departed  for  their  homes. 

On  our  return  to  Marash  we  remained  four  days  superintending  the  work  of 
relief  of  the  native  doctors,  and  performing  surgical  operations.  We  then 
started  for  the  coast.  We  chose  a  shorter  and  less  expensive  route  than  that  by 
which  we  came.  We  were  able  in  several  places  on  the  road  to  give  needed 
relief,  although  to  a  limited  amount.  The  lessons  learned  by  our  experience 
have  been  many : 

1.  The  value  of  keeping  well,  for  obviously,  success  depends  upon  this. 
It  is  evident  to  us  the  way  to  reduce  the  danger  of  infection  to  a  minimum  for 
medical  men,  is  to  eat  and  sleep  outside  the  infected  town.  This  plan  may 
present  difficulties,  but  if  possible,  it  is  best.  The  dreadful  mortality  among 
doctors  and  nurses  in  the  epidemics  of  typhus  fever  is  well  known.  The  query 
is,  could  not  this  inortality  be  reduced  by  the  plan  suggested?  It  proved  so  in 
our  case  at  least. 

2.  The  food  supply  is  of  first  importance,  especially  for  epidemics  caused  by 
lack  of  food. 

3.  The  utter  worthlessness  of  medication  without  it. 

4.  Pure  air.  It  is  much  better  for  people  to  risk  possible  exposure  out  in 
the  open  air,  than  risk  contagion  in  vile,  unwholesome  shelter  in  an  overcrowded 
town. 

Lastly,  I  am  more  than  ever  convinced  that  small  doses  of  medicine  oft 
repeated  give  better  results  in  typhus  and  dysentery  than  those  usually  recom- 
mended in  text-books.  I,  at  least,  had  ample  opportunity  to  test  this  to  my 
satisfaction. 

In  conclusion,  I  wish  to  express  my  hearty  approval  of  the  methods  pursued 
by  yourself  and  associates,  especially  as  applied  to  the  giving  relief  to  the 
suffering  people.  The  distribution  of  your  forces  was  admirable,  and  the  way 
they  grasped  the  situation  and  the  needs  of  the  people  of  each  particular  place 
should  excite  the  admiration  of  all  who  have  the  relief  of  this  afflicted  people 
at  heart.  Instead  of  scattering  the  money  here  and  there  in  an  aimless  way, 
food,  medical  and  surgical  supplies,  clothing,  seed,  cattle,  farming  utensils, 
simple  cooking  vessels,  were  systematically  distributed,  thus  putting  all  in  the 
way  of  providing  for  themselves  in  the  future  and  becoming  independent  again. 
It  is  very  easy  to  pauperize  the  people  of  the  Orient,  but  your  methods  prevent 
this. 

Again,  the  non-sectarian  aspect  of  your  work  has  made  a  favorable  impres- 
sion. It  eliminates  all  religious  prejudices  from  the  minds  of  all,  especially 
the  religious  heads.  Therefore  no  ungenerous  remarks  as  to  the  ulterior 
motives  of  your  relief.  On  the  contrary  we  heard  nothing  but  words  of  com- 
mendation. 


356  THE   RED   CROSS. 

No  one  but  yourself  and  your  associates  and  those  who  have  lived  in  Turkey 
for  a  number  of  years,  can  appreciate  the  difficulties  and  perplexities  under 
which  you  have  labored  from  the  very  first. 

I  am  sorry  that  this  report  ends  my  official  relations  with  you,  but  believe 
me,  dear  Miss  Barton,  my  wife  and  I  shall  hold  yourself  and  your  associates 
always  in  interested  remembrance. 

Truly  and  sincerely  yours, 

Ira  Harris. 
Tula,  Ml.  Lebanon,  August  75,  i8g6. 


Equally  interesting  reports  are  in  hand  of  the  work  of  our  special 
field  agents,  E.  M.  Wistar,  of  Philadelphia,  and  Charles  King  Wood, 
whose  labors  extended  to  different  fields  of  Harpoot;  Cliimiskczck  Peri 
Diarbekir;  Palou  Silouan  Parkin,  feeding  and  clothing  the  people, 
furnishing  tools,  cattle,  seeds,  grain  for  harvesting  the  crops,  and 
planting  the  fields  for  future  provision. 

We  regret  that  space  will  not  allow  their  introduction  here  in  full. 

So  faithful  and  competent  agents  deserve  their  own  recitation  of  a 
work  so  well  done. 

Returning  from  the  field  when  called.  Dr.  Hubbell  and  assistants 
arrived  in  Constantinople  July  16,  Mr.  Wistar  and  Mr.  Wood  on  the 
twentieth  of  the  same  month. 

I  need  not  attempt  to  say  with  what  gratitude  I  welcomed  back 
these  weary,  brown-faced  men  and  officers  from  a  field  at  once  so  diffi- 
cult and  so  perilous,  and  none  the  less  did  the  gratitude  of  my  heart  go 
out  to  my  faithful  and  capable  secretary,  who  had  toiled  early  and  late, 
never  leaving  for  a  day,  till  the  face  grew  thin  and  the  eyes  hollow, 
striving  with  tender  heart  that  all  should  go  well,  and  "  the  children 
might  be  fed." 

And  when  the  first  greetings  were  over,  and  the  first  meal  par- 
taken, the  full  chorus  of  manly  voices :  ' '  Home  Again,"  "  Sweet  Land 
of  Liberty,"  "  Nearer  My  God  to  Thee,"  that  rolled  out  through  the 
open  windows  of  the  Red  Cross  headquarters  in  Constantinople,  fell  on 
the  listening  ears  of  Christian  and  Moslem  alike,  and  though  the 
tones  were  new  and  strange  all  felt  that  to  some  one,  somewhere,  they 
meant  more  than  mere  notes  of  music. 


CLARA   BARTON. 
Taken  in  1897. 


THE  RED  CROSS  FLAG.  359 

THI-:  RED  CROSS  FLAG. 
"When  the  smoke  of  the  cannon  cleared  away  we  saw  the  Red  Cross  tbing 
over  the  hospital." 

The  shot  sped  out  from  our  serried  ships, 

Like  the  sob  of  a  strong  man  crying; 
The  sun  was  veiled  as  with   sudden  eclipse, 

When  the  shot  sped  out  from  our  serried  ships, 
And   England's  flag  was  flying. 
Up  from  the  shore  the  answer  came, 

The   cry   of   the   wounded   and   dying; 
A  burst  of  thunder,  a  flash  of  flame  — 
Up   from   the   shore  an  answer  came, 
Where  the   Prophet's  flag  was  flying. 
So  we  dealt  destruction  the  livelong  day, 
In  war's  wild  pastime  vying; 
Through  the  smoke  and  thunder  and  dashing  spray, 
We  dealt  destruction  the  livelong  day, 
And  the  hostile  flags  were  flying. 
But  far  through  the  rolling  battle   smoke  — 

Ah,   God!  'mid  the  groans  and  the  crying  — 
A  sudden  gleam  on  our  vision  broke; 
Afar  through  the  rolling  battle  smoke. 
And  the  Red  Cross  flag  was  flying. 
O'er  the  house  of  mercy  with  plain,  white  walls. 

Where  they  carried  the  w^ounded  and  dying. 
Unharmed  by  our  cannon,  unfearing  our  balls; 
O'er  that  house  of  mercy  with  plain,  white  walls. 
The   Red   Cross   flag  was   flying. 
As  the  sign  of  the  Son  of  Man  in  the  heaven 

For  a   world  of  warring  and   sighing 
We  hailed  it;  and  cheered,  for  the  promise   given 
By  the  sign  of  the  Son   of   Man   in   the  heaven  — 
The  Red  Cross  banner  flying. 
For  we  know  that  wherever  the  battle  was  waged. 

With  its  wounded  and  dead  and  dying  — 
Where  the  wrath  of  pagan  or  Christian  raged  — 

Like  the  mercy  of  God,  where  the  battle  was  waged. 
The  Red  Cross  flag  was  flying. 


36o  THE  RED  CROSS. 

Let  the  angry  legions  meet  in  the  fight, 

With  tlie  noise  of  captains  crying; 
Yet  the  arm  of  Christ  outstretched  in  its  might. 

Where  the  angry  legions  meet  in  the  fight, 

Keeps  the  Red  Cross  banner  flying. 
And  it  surely  will  come  that  war  will  cease, 

With  its  madness  and  pain  in  crying, 
Lo!  the  blood-red  Cross  is  the  prophet  of  peace  — 

Of  the  blessed  time  when  war  will  cease  — 

And  the  Red  Cross  flag  is  flying. 

John  T.  Napier,  in  the  Moravian. 


THE  SPANISH-AMERICAN  WAR. 


the  subsequent  chapters  is  traced  the  history  of  the 
operations  of  the  American  National  Red  Cross 
during  the  past  year,  inckiding  the  distribution  of 
rehef  among  the  "  Reconcentrados  "  in  Cuba, 
and  the  auxiliary  field  and  hospital  service  in  the 
Spanish-American  war. 

Being  called  away  to  Cuba  in  the  midst  of 
the  preparations  for  w^ar  relief,  with  much  of  the 
preliminary  work  unfinished,  it  seemed  proper  to 
leave  at  home,  for  a  time,  a  personal  representa- 
tive familiar  with  the  obligations  of  the  National  Red  Cross,  to  relieve 
the  overburdened  committee  in  New  York  of  some  of  the  details 
which  fell  more  particularly  within  my  own  province,  and  to  which 
I  had  planned  to  give  personal  attention. 

Accordingly,  Mr.  D.  L.  Cobb,  of  my  staff,  was  detached  for  this 
service.  Being  familiar  with  the  work  which  was  done  in  mv  absence, 
and  in  which  he  has  faithfully  and  elificiently  served  with  an  interest 
second  only  to  my  own,  I  have  asked  him  to  tell  the  story  of  the  rela- 
tions of  the  National  Committee  with  the  Government,  the  formation 
of  the  committees  and  the  auxiliary  societies,  through  whose  guidance 
and  administrations  all  the  great  work  of  relief  in  the  Camps  and  else- 
where was  carried  on.  This  he  has  done  in  the  following  chapter, 
under  the  title,  "  Home  Camps  and  American  Waters." 


HOME  CAMPS  AND  AMERICAN  WATERS. 

D.   L.   Corp. 

URING  the  summer  of  1897  there  began  to  appeat 
reports  of  great  suffering  among  the  unfortunate  peo- 
ple of  Cuba,  since  familiarly  known  as  the  "  reconcen- 
trados."  They  were  the  non-combatants,  men,  women 
and  children,  ordered  from  their  homes  and  plantations 
in  the  interior  and  concentrated  in  the  seacoast  towns 
under  control  of  the  Spanish  arms.  Thousands  were  dying,  hundreds 
of  thousands  were  in  want;  the  terrible  story  of  their  misery  and 
awful  distress  was  re-echoed  throughout  the  country,  and  everywhere 
the  cries  for  relief  and  the  appeals  to  humanity  were  heard.  Congress, 
too,  had  taken  the  matter  up  and  were  discussing  plans  for  Cuban  relief. 
The  time  had  arrived  when  something  must  be  done.  Finally  the 
President  opened  the  way  by  issuing  the  following  appeal  to  the  peo- 
ple on  the  twenty-fourth  of  December: 

Department  of  State, 
Washington,  D.  C. 

By  direction  of  the  President  the  public  is  informed  that,  in  deference  to  the 
earnest  desire  of  the  Government  of  the  United  States  to  contribute,  by  effective 
action,  toward  the  relief  of  the  suffering  people  in  the  island  of  Cuba,  arrange- 
ments have  been  perfected  by  which  charitable  contributions,  in  money  or  in  kind, 
can  be  sent  to  the  island  by  the  benevolently  disposed  people  of  the  United  States. 

Money,  provisions,  clothing  and  like  articles  of  prime  necessity  can  be  for- 
warded to  General  Fitzhugh  Lee,  the  Consul-General  of  the  United  States  at 
Havana,  and  all  articles  now  dutiable  by  law,  so  consigned,  will  be  admitted  into 
Cuba  free  of  duty.  The  Consul-General  has  been  instructed  to  receive  the  same 
and  to  co-operate  with  the  local  authorities  and  the  charitable  boards,  for  the  distri- 
bution of  such  relief  among  the  destitute  and  needy  people  of  Cuba. 

The  President  is  confident  that  the  people  of  the  United  States,  who  have  on 
many  occasions  in  the  past  resj^onded  most  generously  to  the  cry  for  bread  from 
peoples  stricken  by  famine  or  sore  calamity,  and  who  have  beheld  no  less  generous 
action  on  the  part  of  foreign  communities  when  our  own  countrymen  have  suffered 
from  fire  or  flood,  will  heed  the  appeal  for  aid  that  comes  from  the  destitute  at 
their  own  threshold,  and  especially  at  this  season  of  good  will  and  rejoicing  give 
of  *>ifir  abundance  to  this  humane  end. 

John  Sherman,  Secretary. 
(361) 


362  THE   RED   CROSS. 

This  appeal  was  sent  out  through  the  Associated  Press  and  dis- 
tributed tlirough  the  mails,  and  met  with  a  most  generous  response 
from  the  public.  It  soon  became  apparent,  however,  that  to  inaugu- 
rate a  thorough  system  of  relief,  to  concentrate  and  administer  the 
varied  contributions  of  the  people,  a  central  committee  would  be 
required  who  should  be  charged  with  the  duties  of  organization,  col- 
lection and  shipment.  A  conference  was  held  at  Washington,  between 
President  McKinley,  the  Secretary  of  State  and  the  American  National 
Red  Cross,  the  result  of  which  appears  in  the  following  communica- 
tions: 

Department  of  State. 

January  /,  i8g8. 
Miss  Clara  Barton,  President^  American  National  Red  Cross: 

Dear  Madam:  After  luy  conference  with  you  yesterday,  I  saw  the  President 
again,  who  expressed  his  great  pleasure  that  the  Red  Cross  will  so  cheerfully 
respond  to  the  initiative  which  the  President  has  taken  toward  the  relief  of  the 
suffering  people  of  Cuba.  No  less  could  have  been  expected  by  him  in  view  of 
the  good  work  which  the  Red  Cross  has  done  in  the  past  when  called  upon  to 
fulfill  its  humane  mission  of  relieving  suffering,  either  at  home  or  in  foreign 
countries,  and  acting  as  the  medium  for  the  effective  application  of  the  charitable 
gifts  of  our  citizens. 

With  the  President's  approval,  I  have  the  pleasure  to  suggest  to  you  the  way 
in  which  it  is  deemed  that  the  co-operation  of  the  Red  Cross  in  this  humane 
endeavor  can  be  most  practically  accomplished. 

The  first  necessity  is  the  organization,  in  New  York  City  as  the  most  con- 
venient centre  of  operations,  of  a  committee  whose  functions  it  will  be  to  appeal 
to  the  kindly  sentiments  of  the  American  people  in  behalf  of  the  sufferers  in  Cuba; 
to  receive  contributions  in  money  or  in  kind,  and  to  forward  the  same  to  Havana, 
consigned  to  the  Consul-General  of  the  United  States,  he  having  been  placed  by 
the  President,  in  sole  charge  of  the  receipt  and  application  of  the  relief  in  the 
island;  the  committee,  as  a  whole,  to  act  under  the  supervision  and  direction  of 
the  Secretary  of  State,  with  whom  it  may  correspond  on  all  matters  of  business 
arising  and  requiring  direction  in  the  name  of  the  Government  of  the  United 
States. 

In  view  of  the  generous  and  cordial  offer  of  Mr.  I^ouis  Klopsch,  of  the  Chris- 
tian Herald,  the  President  desires  that,  if  agreeable  to  you,  he  shall  be  a  member 
of  the  committee  and,  in  concert  with  a  third  member  to  be  designated  by  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce  of  New  York,  co-operating  with  the  representative  of  the 
Red  Cross  to  make  effective  the  effort  which  is  now  being  put  forth. 

The  representation  of  the  Red  Cross  on  the  proposed  relief  committee,  is  left 
to  you.  While  the  President  would  be  most  gratified  were  you  in  person  to  act  as 
the  second  member,  he  recognizes  that  the  duties  and  labors  of  the  office  might 
more  conveniently  fall  upon  a  representative  of  the  Red  Cross  in  New  York  City, 
and  will  cheerfully  accept  your  suggestion  that  Mr.  Stephen  E.  Barton,  second 
vice-president  of  the  American  National  Red  Cross,  serve  in  that  capacity. 


HOME  CAMPS   AND   AMERICAN   WATERS.  363 

Mr.  Barton  will  be  furnished  with  letters  to  Mr.  Louis  Klopsch  and  to  Mr. 
Alexander  E.  Orr,  president  of  the  New  York  Chamber  of  Commerce,  explaining 
the  circumstances  under  which  their  co-operation  toward  the  formation  of  the 
proposed  connnittee  is  solicited.  It  is  trusted  that  speedy  action  may  be  had,  so 
that  the  organization  of  the  Central  Cuban  Relief  Committee  may  Ije  announced 
to  the  people  of  the  United  States  by  the  Secretary  of  State  at  the  earliest  possible 
day. 

I  am,  my  dear  madam, 

Very  respectfully  yours, 

Alvey  a.  Adee, 

Second  Assistant  Secretary. 


Letters  of  notification  were  then  sent  by  the  Secretary  of  State  to 
Mr.  Stephen  K.  Barton,  Mr.  Lonis  Klop.sch  and  Mr.  Alexander  E.  Orr. 
Mr.  Barton  being  appointed,  Mr.  Klop.sch  having  accepted  the  invita- 
tion to  serve,  Mr.  Charles  A.  Schieren  was  selected  to  represent  the 
New  York  Chamber  of  Connnerce,  and  thus  was  formed  what  is  still 
known  as  the  Central  Cuban  Relief  Committee.  The  committee  met 
early  in  January  of  this  year  and  organized,  Mr.  Barton  being  elected 
as  chairman,  Mr.  Schieren  treasurer.  This  committee  began  active 
work  by  sending  a  telegraphic  appeal  to  the  governors  of  all  the  States 
and  Territories,  announcing  the  object  of  the  committee's  existence, 
and  asking  their  co-operation  and  active  support,  in  order  to  carry  otit 
the  President's  policy  in  the  administration  of  relief  to  the  starving 
people  in  Cuba.  All  responses  received  were  favorable,  many  com- 
mittees were  appointed,  and  the  supplies  and  funds  began  to  come  in. 
It  was  at  this  point  that  the  Secretary  of  State  issued  the  second  public 
appeal  by  the  government,  on  January  the  eighth,  again  urging  the 
people,  the  municipal  authorities  and  the  great  corporations  to  assist 
in  the  work. 

The  first  shipment  of  supplies  to  Cuba  by  the  Central  Cuban 
Relief  Committee  was  made  on  Jantiary  4,  and  the  second  on  January 
12,  the  first  consisting  of  160  cases  of  condensed  milk,  and  the 
second  of  about  forty  tons  of  food,  clothing  and  medicines.  These 
supplies  were  consigned  to  Consul-General  Lee  at  Havana,  and  were 
transported  by  the  Ward  Line  of  steamships  free  of  charge. 

In  the  meantime  the  committee  issued  its  own  circular  appeal  to  all 
local  authorities,  business  houses,  boards  of  trade,  religious  institutions, 
charitable  corporations,  .social  and  business  clubs,  organizations  and 
societies  generally  in  every  State  of  the  Union. 

The  question  of  transportation  and  its  cost  now  became  one  of  vital 


364  THE   RHP   CROSS. 

importance.  If  full  freight  charges  were  to  be  paid  on  all  consignments 
to  the  committee  to  the  Atlantic  coast,  the  expense  of  shipment  might 
in  many  cases  equal  the  value  of  the  supplies,  and  in  any  event  would 
be  a  serious  burden  upon  the  treasury.  Accordingly,  negotiations 
were  carried  on  with  the  principal  railway  and  steamship  transportation 
lines,  and  with  the  Joint  Traffic  Association  of  New  York,  one  result 
of  which  was  that  the  association  shortly  afterward  issued  its  general 
circular  of  instructions,  the  substance  of  which  was: 

That,  responsive  to  the  request  of  the  Central  Cuban  Relief  Com- 
mittee, appointed  by  the  President  of  the  United  States  and  acting 
under  the  direction  of  the  Department  of  State,  it  shall  be  permissible 
for  the  railway  companies,  parties  to  the  Joint  Traffic  Association,  to 
forward  free  of  transportation  charges,  from  points  subject  to  its  juris- 
diction to  or  from  New  York,  New  Orleans,  Mobile,  Montgomery  and 
Tampa,  shipments  of  food,  clothing  and  medicines,  and  other  necessary 
supplies  intended  for  the  use  and  relief  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  island 
of  Cuba  who  are  suffering  from  sickness  and  famine. 

Through  this  generous  action  on  the  part  of  the  Joint  Traffic  Asso- 
ciation, comprising  the  principal  railroads  east  of  Chicago,  with  branch 
lines  extending  north  and  south,  all  contributions  were  carried  to  the 
Atlantic  and  Gulf  ports  free.  The  Ward  Line  from  New  York,  and 
the  Plant  System  of  railways  and  steamships  had  already  taken  similar 
action,  then  the  great  trunk  lines  of  the  West,  the  New  England 
companies,  the  Southern  railwaj^s,  and  all  the  coastwise  steamship 
companies  and  the  Munson  Line  united  in  furnishing  free  transportation 
to  the  ports  of  Cuba.  Of  the  steamship  lines  whose  kind  assistance 
did  so  much  to  further  the  work  of  relief,  special  mention  is  due  to 
Messrs.  James  E.  Ward  &  Co.,  of  New  York,  owners  of  the  Ward 
Line,  whose  steamers  running  to  Havana,  Santiago,  Cienfuegos  and 
ports  along  the  southern  shore  of  Cuba,  not  only  carried  the  larger 
amount  of  provisions,  but  unloaded  it  and  delivered  it  on  shore  without 
charge. 

No  single  agency  did  greater  service  than  the  press.  By  the  daily 
and  widespread  dissemination  of  news  concerning  the  actual  conditions 
in  Cuba,  by  the  reports  of  their  own  representatives  in  the  famine- 
stricken  districts,  and  by  the  persistent  reiteration  of  appeals  the  great 
heart  of  the  American  people  w'as  reached,  and  the  response  was 
prompt  and  abundant. 

Operating  over  such  a  large  territory,  communication  by  mail 
would  have  often  been  too  slow  to  be  effective,  and  it  was  constantly 


HOME   CAMPS  AND   AMERICAN  WATERS.  365 

necessary  to  resort  to  the  telegraph,  and  the  cost  of  such  service  would 
have  ordinarily  been  very  great.  But  the  Postal  Telegraph  Company 
and  the  Western  Union  Telegraph  and  Cable  Company,  in  order  to 
assist  the  work,  extended  unusual  privileges,  the  first  company  trans- 
mitting all  messages  free,  and  the  second  accepting  messages  at  the 
government  rates.  The  Central  Cuban  Relief  Committee  in  their 
report  to  the  President,  extend  their  thanks  to  many  other  companies, 
and  individuals,  for  whose  kindly  assistance  they  are  indebted,  and 
special  mention  is  made  of  the  valuable  service  rendered  by  the  United 
States  dispatch  agent,  Mr.  I.  P.  Roosa,  in  the  receipt  and  storage,  the 
purchase  and  shipment  of  relief  supplies. 

In  the  latter  part  of  March  a  conference  was  held  at  Washington, 
between  the  Secretary  of  State  and  the  Central  Cuban  Relief  Commit- 
tee, which  resulted  in  bringing  the  committee  into  relationship  with 
the  American  National  Red  Cross,  and  the  designation  of  the  Red 
Cross  as  the  distributing  agent  in  Cuba,  acting  for  the  State  Depart- 
ment and  the  committee.  As  told  elsewhere,  the  work  of  distribution 
in  Cuba  was  scarcely  begun  when  friendly  relations  between  the  United 
States  and  Spain  were  suspended,  and  upon  the  advice  of  the  Consul- 
General  at  Havana,  the  Red  Cross  retired  when  the  President  called  all 
Americans  home. 

In  the  meantime  the  committee,  upon  the  advice  of  the  Department 
of  State,  had  chartered  the  steamship  "State  of  Texas  "  of  the  Mallory 
Line,  and,  loading  her  with  a  general  cargo  of  food,  clothing,  medicines 
and  hospital  supplies,  dispatched  her,  under  the  flag  of  the  Red  Cross, 
to  Key  West. 

The  purpose  for  which  this  good  ship  was  dispatched,  and  the 
conditions  under  which  she  was  sent,  are  best  explained  by  the  corre- 
spondence exchanged  at  that  time  by  the  Departments  of  State  and 
Navy,  the  American  National  Red  Cross,  the  Central  Cuban  Relief 
Committee  and  the  naval  commanders: 


The  Central  Cuban  Relief  Committee, 

Appointed  by  the  Pres  dent  of  the  United  States   and  act^nji  under 
the  direction  of  the  Departmert  of  State. 

New  York.  April  20,  iSgS. 
Miss  Clara  Barton, 

President,  American  National  Red  Cross,  Wnshins^lon,  D.  C: 
Dear  Miss  Barton  :  In  confirmation  of  the  verb.nl  r^q-i-^'it  bv  the  rhairtnan 
and  treasurer  of  the  Central  Cuban   Relief  Committee,  i;i    ronjiinction  with  the 


366  THE   RKD    CROSS. 

Hon.  Win.  R.  Day,  Assistant  Secretary  of  State,  that  you  proceed  to  the  island  of 
Cuba,  there  to  carry  on  tlie  work  of  distriljution  and  relief  to  the  suffering  people 
in  behalf  of  this  committee  and  in  co-operation  with  the  United  States  Consuls,  I 
beg  to  inform  you  that  at  a  special  meeting  of  this  committee,  held  on  thirteenth 
of  April,  1S9S,  tlie  following  action  was  taken  : 

Whkrkas,  The  Deiiartment  of  State  having  extended  the  authority  of  this 
committee  to  the  supervision  of  the  distribution  of  relief  supplies,  and  the  carrying 
out  of  all  necessary  relief  measures,  in  co-operation  with  the  American  Consuls  in 
Cuba;  and  this  committee,  having  verbally  joined  with  the  Deixirtment  of  State 
in  asking  tlie  Americr';  National  Red  Cross,  Miss  Clara  Barton,  president,  to 
proceed  at  once  to  Cuba  as  the  representative  of  this  committee,  and  to  perform, 
in  behalf  of  the  committee,  all  necessary  work  of  relief;  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  the  chairman  be  authorized  to  write  suitable  letters  to  Miss 
Clara  Barton,  Consul-General  Lee  and  the  other  American  Consuls  in  Cuba, 
notifying  them  of  this  action. 

As  you  are  aware,  this  committee  at  request  of  the  Department  of  State,  has 
determined  to  send  the  steamship  "  State  of  Texas,"  with  relief  supplies  from 
New  York  City  to  Key  West,  Florida,  there  to  await  orders  and  instructions  from 
the  United  States  Government.  B3'  instructions  from  the  Department  of  State, 
the  committee  have  to  send  the  steamship  under  the  Red  Cross  flag  and  the  pro- 
visions of  the  Geneva  Convention,  turning  the  vessel  over  to  the  American 
National  Red  Cross  upon  leaving  New  York. 

I,  therefore,  beg  to  say  to  )'OU  that  in  all  probability  the  vessel  will  be  loaded 
and  made  ready  to  sail  on  Saturday  the  twenty-third  inst.,  and  you  are  expected  to 
have  such  of  your  representatives— as  you  desire  shall  accompany  and  take  charge 
of  the  ship  from  New  York  to  Key  West — in  readiness  to  go  aboard  Saturday  fore- 
noon. The  arrival  of  the  vessel  at  Key  West  should  be  reported  to  this  committee 
by  telegraph  immediately,  when  instructions  will  be  given  by  the  Government  at 
Washington  for  proceeding  further.  If  hostilities  shall  have  begun  between  the 
United  vStates  and  Spain,  it  will  be  your  duty  to  call  upon  the  United  States 
Government  for  the  necessary  naval  consort — as  provided  by  the  Geneva 
Convention. 

This  program  has  been  proposed  by  the  Assistant  Secretary  of  State,  who  will 
immediately  issue  the  necessary  orders  upon  hearing  from  us. 

Before  your  departure  from  Key  West  for  Cuba,  this  committee  will  give  you 
further  information  as  to  its  desires  and  recommendation  concerning  the  distribu- 
tion of  supplies  from  the  different  ports  in  Cuba. 

This  committee  stands  ready  to  furnish  you  with  the  funds  necessary  to  carry 
on  this  work  of  relief  to  the  extent  of  its  ability,  and  it  is  expected  that  you  will 
render  to  the  treasurer  a  detailed  account  of  your  expenditures  in  the  work  en- 
trusted to  your  organization. 

You  are  requested  to  make  requisition  by  letter  or  telegraph  from  time  to  time, 
as  you  need  further  funds. 

We  will  thank  you  for  your  official  acknowledgment  of  this  communication  in 
writing. 

Very  truly  yours, 

Stephen  E.  Barton,  Chairman. 


HOME   CAMPS   AND   AMERICAN   WATERS.  367 


Navy  Department, 

Washington,  April  2^,  /Sg8. 
Sir:  Miss  Clara  Barton,  the  representative  of  the  American  National  Red 
Cross  Society,  is  about  to  proceed  to  Key  West  to  take  charge  of  the  distribution 
of  the  supplies  now  aboard  the  steanisliip  "  State  of  Texas,"  and  which  supplies  it 
is  proposed  to  distribute  among  the  starving  reconcentrados  of  Cuba.  There  are 
enclosed  herewith  copies  of  letters  from  the  Department  of  State  to  the  Depart- 
ment of  the  Navy  and  from  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  to  the  Commander-in-Chief 
of  the  North  Atlantic  Station  which  contain  the  terms  upon  which  this  trust  is 
undertaken,  and  the  Department's  instructions  in  relation  thereto. 

The  Department  desires  that  you  will  afford  every  assistance  within  your 
power  to  Miss  Barton  and  her  associates,  while  they  are  in  Key  West. 

The  departure  of  the  "  State  of  Texas  "  from  Key  West  and  its  destination  are, 
of  course,  matters  coming  entirely  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Commander-in- 
Chief  of  the  North  Atlantic  Station. 

Very  respectfully. 
Commandant,  John  D.  Long, 

Naval  Station,  Key  West,  Fla.  Secretary, 


Navy  Department, 

Washington,  April  2^,  iSgS. 
Sir  :  There  is  forwarded  enclosed  a  cop)'  of  a  letter  received  this  day  from  the 
Department  of  State,  which  fully  states  the  conditions  under  which  Miss  Clara 
Barton,  as  the  representative  of  the  American  National  Red  Cross  Society,  proceeds 
to  Key  West.  You  will  afford  Miss  Barton  ever}'  facility  that  shall  become  feasible 
for  the  distribution  of  the  supplies  now  on  board  the  steamship  "  State  of  Texas  " 
to  the  starving  reconcentrados,  but  it  is,  of  course,  necessary  that  none  of  these 
supplies  shall  come  into  the  possession  of  the  Spanish  Army,  as  this  would  result 
in  defeating  the  purposes  foi  which  the  blockade  has  been  established. 

It  is  believed  that  3'ou  will  fully  appreciate  the  wishes  of  the  Departments  of 
State  and  the  Navy  in  this  matter,  and  all  the  details  are  necessarily  left  to  youi 
discretion. 

Very  respectfully, 
Connnander-in-Chief,  U.  S.  Naval  Force,  John  D.  Long, 

North  Atlantic  Station.  Secretary. 


Department  of  State, 

Washington,  April  2^,  i8g8. 
The  Honorable  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy: 

Sir:  The  Central  Cuban  Relief  Conunitteeof  New  York,  organized  by  direction 
and  under  the  authority  of  the  President,  for  the  collection  and  transmission  to 


3^^S  THE   RED   CROSS. 

Cuba  of  supplies  for  the  relief  of  the  suffering  and  destitute  in  that  island,  has, 
after  consultation  with  this  Department  and  with  full  approval  of  its  course,  char- 
tered and  dispatched  from  New  York  the  steamer  "State  of  Texas"  laden  with 
supplies  and  sailing  under  the  ensign  of  the  National  Red  Cross.  The  only  pas- 
sengers she  carries  are  officers  and  employes  of  the  Red  Cross  for  the  purpose  of 
assisting  in  the  distribution  of  this  charitable  relief. 

As  at  present  contemplated,  the  destination  of  the  "State  of  Texas  "  is  either 
Matanzas  or  Cardenas,  or  perhaps,  if  circumstances  favor,  both;  but  the  point  of 
landing  will  largely  be  determined  by  circumstances  of  which  the  Admiral  com- 
manding the  blockading  force  on  the  north  coast  of  Cuba  will  necessarily  be  the 
best  judge. 

Miss  Clara  Barton,  president  of  the  American  National  Red  Cross,  is  about  to 
proceed  to  Tampa  and  Key  West  at  which  latter  point  she  will  go  aboard  the  "State 
of   Texas  "  upon  its  arrival  there. 

Upon  reaching  Key  West  Miss  Barton,  as  the  person  in  charge  of  the  relief 
expedition,  will  report  to  such  naval  officer  as  you  may  designate  and  take  from 
him  directions  as  to  the  movements  of  the  "State  of  Texas"  from  that  point  on. 

I  have  tlie  honor  to  commend  Miss  Barton  to  the  kind  attentions  of  your  De- 
partment in  order  that  she  may  receive,  before  leaving  Washington,  such  instruc- 
tions as  you  may  deem  it  necessary  and  proper  to  give  her. 

Respectfully  yours, 

John  Sherman, 

Secretary. 

With  these  credentials,  the  President  and  staff  of  the  American 
National  Red  Cross  immediately  proceeded  to  Key  West,  and,  after 
reporting  to  the  commandant  of  the  naval  station  and  to  the  representa- 
tive of  Admiral  Sampson,  the  party  boarded  the  "State  of  Texas  " 
and  awaited  an  opportunity  to  carry  out  the  mission  of  the  Red  Cross. 

During  the  year  prior  to  the  otitbreak  of  hostilities  between  the 
United  States  and  Spain,  Cuban  families  were  fleeing  from  the  island, 
and  this  exodus  continued  until  war  began.  The  refugees,  num- 
bering several  thousand,  took  up  their  abode  at  Tampa,  Key  West 
and  other  Atlantic  and  gulf  ports.  They  had  been  obliged  to  leave 
their  native  country  hastily,  leaving  nearly  all  their  personal  property 
behind  them,  and  in  a  short  time  after  their  arrival  in  America  were 
actually  without  food  and  with  no  means  wherewith  to  purchase  it. 

Committees  and  agents  of  the  Red  Cross  were  established  in  both 
Tampa  and  Key  West,  and  acting  as  the  distributing  agencies  for  the 
supplies  forwarded  by  the  Central  Cuban  Relief  Committee,  the 
refugees  were  cared  for.  In  Key  West  the  number  supplied  with  food 
from  the  warehouse  and  kitchen  of  the  Red  Cross  were  over  seventeen 
hundred  people,  and  the  distribution  still  continues.  Key  West  has 
been  one  of  the  most  important  distributing  stations,  and   from  the 


HOME   CAMPS   AND   AMERICAN   WATERS.  S'^y 

beginning  has  been  under  the  efficient  direction  of  Mr.  George  W. 
Hyatt,  for  whose  continuous  and  faithful  service  the  Red  Cross  is  much 
indebted. 

The  distributing  station  was  kept  constantly  supplied  by  the  Cen- 
tral Cuban  Relief  Committee,  and  when  the  stock  began  to  run  low 
in  the  latter  part  of  July,  the  committee  dispatched  the  schooner 
"  Nokomis  "  from  New  York  with  125  tons  of  assorted  provi.sions  to 
replenish  the  storehouse. 

Before  the  "  State  of  Texas  "  arrived  at  Key  West,  war  had  been 
declared  between  the  United  States  and  Spain,  and  soon  after  the  prize 
ships,  schooners,  steamers  and  fishing  smacks,  captured  off  the  Cuban 
const  began  to  come  in,  in  tow,  or  in  charge  of  prize  crews.  The  navy 
worked  rapidly  and  brought  in  their  prizes  so  quickly  that  the  govern- 
ment officials  were  not  prepared  to  feed  the  prisoners  of  war.  On  the 
ninth  of  May  the  United  States  Marshal  for  the  southern  district  of 
Florida  made  the  following  appeal: 


Miss  Clara  Barton, 

President,  American  National  Red  Cross: 
Dear  Miss  Barton:  On  board  the  captured  vessels  we  find  quite  a  number 
of  aliens  among  the  crews,  mostly  Cubans,  and  some  American  citizens,  and  their 
detention  here  and  inability  to  get  away  for  want  of  funds  has  exhausted  their 
supply  of  food,  and  some  of  them  will  soon  be  entirely  out.  As  there  is  no  appro- 
priation available  from  which  food  could  be  purchased,  would  you  kindly  provide 
for  them  until  I  can  get  definite  instructions  from  the  Department  at  Washington  ? 

Very  respectfully, 

John  F.  Horr, 

U.  S.  Marshal. 


Attached  to  this  letter  was  an  official  list  of  the  Spanish  prizes 
whose  crews  were  in  need  of  food.  The  boats  of  the  ' '  State  of  Texas  ' ' 
were  quickly  loaded  with  a  supply  of  assorted  provisions  and,  being 
taken  in  tow  by  the  steam-launch  of  the  transport  "Panther,"  the 
work  of  distribution  began.  All  the  ships  in  need  were  supplied  with 
food  and  medicines  for  ten  days,  and  their  supply  renewed  every  ten 
days  for  some  weeks  until  government  rations  were  regularly  issued 
and  auxiliary  assistance  was  no  longer  necessary.  The  supplies  on 
the  "  State  of  Texas"  being  intended  for  the  reconcentrados  in  Cuba, 
her  cargo  was  drawn  upon  to  the  smallest  possible  extent.  Many  of 
the  prizes  had  on   board    cargoes   of  bananas   and   plantains,  and  the 


370  THE   RKD   CROSS. 

wells  of  the  "  Viveros "  were  filled  with  live  fish.  After  some 
negotiating,  arrangements  were  made  to  secure  these  cargoes  at  a 
trifling  cost,  and  they  were  distributed  among  the  crews  of  the  vessels 
that  carried  nothing  eatable.  Tasajo,  or  jerked  meat,  was  also  bought 
and  given  out  in  the  same  way,  and  from  one  of  the  prizes  loaded  with 
dried  meat  from  the  Argentine,  which  was  afterward  sold  at  auction  in 
Key  West,  forty  tons  were  purchased  and  stored  in  the  warehouse  to 
supply  the  refugees,  and  to  replace  that  portion  of  the  cargo  of 
the  "State  of  Texas"  which  had  been  distributed  to  the  prisoners 
of  war. 

While  waiting  for  an  opportunity  to  get  into  Cuba,  the  reports 
which  reached  us  showed  that  the  distress  among  the  reconcentrados  was 
daily  increasing,  and  it  was  determined  to  make  an  attempt  to  land 
with  the  "  State  of  Texas,"  or  at  least  to  show  the  willingness  of  the 
Red  Cross  to  do  so,  if  permitted.  As  the  ship  was  under  the  direction 
of  the  Navy  Department,  the  following  letter  was  addressed  to  the 
admiral  in  command  of  the  blockading  fleet: 


S.  S.  "State  of  Texas,"  May  2,  1898. 
Admirai,  Wilwam  T.  Sampson,  U.  S.  N., 

Commatidifig  fleet  before  Havana: 

Admiral:  But  for  the  introduction  kindly  proffered  by  our  mutual  acquaint- 
ance. Captain  Harrington,  I  should  scarcely  presume  to  address  you.  He  will  have 
made  known  to  you  the  subject  which  I  desire  to  bring  to  your  gracious  considera- 
tion. 

Papers  forwarded  by  direction  of  our  government  will  have  shown  the  charge 
entrusted  to  me,  viz:  To  get  food  to  the  starving  people  of  Cuba.  I  have  with  me 
a  cargo  of  fourteen  hundred  tons,  under  the  flag  of  the  Red  Cross,  the  one  interna- 
tional emblem  of  neutrality  and  humanity  known  to  civilization.  Spain  knows 
and  regards  it. 

Fourteen  months  ago,  the  entire  Spanish  Government  at  Madrid  cabled  me 
permission  to  take  to,  and  distribute  food  to  the  suffering  people  iu  Cuba.  This 
official  permission  was  broadly  published;  if  read  by  our  people,  no  response  was 
made,  no  action  taken  until  two  months  ago,  when  under  the  humane  and  gracious 
call  of  our  honored  President,  I  did  go,  and  distributed  food  unmolested  any- 
where on  the  island,  until  arrangements  were  made  by  our  government  for  all 
American  citizens  to  leave  Cuba.  Persons  must  now  be  dying  there  by  the 
hundreds  if  not  thousands  daily,  for  the  want  of  the  food  we  are  shutting  out. 
Will  not  the  world  hold  us  accountable  ?  Will  history  write  us  blameless  ?  Will  it 
not  be  said  of  us  that  we  completed  the  scheme  of  extermination  commenced  by 
Weyler  ?    I  fear  the  mutterings  are  already  in  the  air. 


HOME   CAMPS   AND   AMERICAN   WATERS.  373 

Fortunately,  I  know  the  Spanish  authorities  in  Cuba,  Captain-General  Blanco 
and  his  assistants.  We  parted  with  perfect  friendliness.  They  do  not  rej^ard  me  as 
an  American  merely,  but  as  the  national  representative  of  an  international  treaty 
to  which  themselves  are  signatory  and  under  which  they  act.  I  believe  they  would 
receive  and  confer  with  me,  if  such  a  thing  were  made  possible. 

I  would  like  to  ask  Spanish  permission  and  protection  to  land  and  distribute 
the  food  now  on  the  "State  of  Texas."  Could  I  be  permitted  to  ask  to  see  them 
under  flag  of  truce?  If  we  make  the  effort  and  are  refused,  the  blame  re.sts  with 
them;  if  we  fail  to  make  it,  it  rests  with  us.  I  hold  it  good  statesmanship  to  at 
least  divide  the  responsibility.  I  am  told  that  some  days  must  elapse  before  our 
troops  can  be  in  position  to  reach  and  feed  this  starving  people.  Our  food  and  ovur 
force  are  here,  ready  to  commence  at  once. 

With  assurances  of  highest  regard,  I  am,  Admiral, 

Very  respectfully  yours, 

Clara  Barton. 


On  the  .same  day,  Admiral  Sampson,  in  his  reply,  pointed  out 
why,  as  commander  of  the  blockading  squadron,  his  instructions 
would  not  permit  him  to  admit  food  into  Cuba  at  that  time. 


U.  S.  Flagship  "  New  York,"  First  Rate. 

Key  West,  Florida,  May  2,  1S98. 
Miss  Clara  Barton, 

Ptesidetit,  American  Naticmal  Red  Cross,  Key  West,  Fla.: 
Dear  Madam  :  I  have  received,  through  the  senior  naval  officer  present,  a 
copy  of  a  letter  from  the  State  Department  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  a  copy  of 
a  letter  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Navj'  to  the  commander-in-chief  of  the  naval  force 
on  this  station,  and  also  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  to  the 
commandant  of  the  naval  station  at  Key  West. 

2.  From  these  communications  it  appears  that  the  destination  of  the  steamship 
"  State  of  Texas,"  loaded  with  supplies  for  the  starving  reconcentrados  in  Cuba,  is 
left,  in  a  measure,  to  my  judgment. 

3.  At  present  I  am  acting  under  instructions  from  the  Navy  Department  to 
blockade  the  coast  of  Cuba  for  the  purpose  of  preventing,  among  other  things. 
an\'  food  supply  from  reaching  the  Spanish  forces  in  Cuba.  Under  these  circum- 
stances it  seems  to  me  unwise  to  let  a  ship-load  of  such  supplies  be  sent  to  ihe 
reconcentrados,  for,  in  my  opinion,  they  would  be  distributed  to  the  Spanish  ir;iiy. 
Until  some  point  be  occupied  in  Cuba  by  our  forces,  from  which  such  distrih.tidn 
may  be  made  to  those  for  whom  the  supplies  are  intended,  I  am  unwilling  liiat 
they  should  be  landed  on  Cuban  soil. 

Yours,  very  respectfully, 

W.  T.  Sampson, 
Rear  Admiral.  U.  S.  Navy, 
Commander-in-Chief  U.  S.  Naval  Force, 
21  North  Atlantic  Station. 


374  THE    RED   CROSS. 

The  Red  Cross  had  been  requested  to  hasten  south  to  take  food 
into  Cuba,  but  the  admiral  had  been  instructed  to  keep  it  out.  Noth- 
ing remained  to  do  but  to  inform  the  government  at  Washington,  and 
the  committee  in  New  York,  regarding  the  situation  as  developed  by 
this  correspondence,  and  await  further  instructions,  which  was  done  by- 
cablegram  addressed  to  the  chairman  of  the  Central  Cuban  Relief 
Committee  in  New  York: 

Key  West,  Fla.,  May  j,  1898. 
Herewith  I  transmit  copies  of  letters  passed  between  Admiral  Sampson  and 
myself.  I  think  it  important  that  you  should  immediateh^  present  this  corres- 
pondence personally  to  the  government,  as  it  will  place  before  them  the  exact 
situation  here.  The  utmost  cordiality  exists  between  Admiral  Sampson  and 
myself.  The  admiral  feels  it  his  duty,  as  chief  of  the  blockading  squadron  to 
keep  food  out  of  Cuba,  and  recognizes  that  from  my  standpoint  my  duty  is  to  try 
to  get  food  into  Cuba  and  this  correspondence  is  transmitted  with  his  cordial  con- 
sent. If  I  insist.  Admiral  Sampson  will  try  to  open  comnmnication  under  a  flag 
of  truce,  but  his  letter  expresses  his  opinion  regarding  the  best  method.  Advices 
from  the  government  would  enable  us  to  reach  a  decision.  Unless  there  is  objec- 
tion at  "Washington,  you  are  at  liberty  to  publish  this  correspondence  if  you  wish. 

Ci,-\RA  Barton. 


In  a  few  days  the  following  cablegram  was  received  in  reply: 

Washington,  May  6,  /Sp8. 
C1.ARA  Barton,  K'ey  West: 

Submitted  your  message  to  President  and  cabinet ,  and  it  was  read  with  moist- 
ened eyes.  Considered  serious  and  pathetic.  Admiral  Sampson's  views  regarded 
as  wisest  at  present.  Hope  to  land  you  soon.  President,  Long  and  Moore  send 
highest  regards.  Barton. 

(S.  E.) 

We  too  hoped  to  land  soon,  but  the  opportunity'  never  came, 
and  the  "State  of  Texas"  whose  finely  assorted  cargo  was 
primarily  intended  for  the  starving  reconcentrados,  did  not  get 
to  Cuba  until  she  went  with  the  transports  conveying  the  invading 
army,  and,  after  doing  good  service  in  the  relief  of  the  .sick  and  • 
wounded  at  El  Caney  and  Siboney,  she  entered  the  harbor  of  Santiago, 
the  first  American  ship  to  reach  the  city. 

While  these  things  were  transpiring,  preparations  were  being 
made  by  the  Red  Cross,  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the 
Treaty  of  Geneva,  to  render  auxiliary  medical  and  hospital  .service 
during  the  war.  Upon  the  declaration  of  war,  a  special  committee  was 
appointed,  composed  of  Dr.  J.  B.   Hubbell,  Mr.  John  Hitz  and  Mr, 


HOME   CAMPS   AND   AMERICAN   WATERS.  375 

Stephen  E.  Barton,  to  wait  upon  the  President   of  the  United  States, 

the  Secretaries  of  State,  War  and  Navy,  and  the  Surgeon  General,  to 

-give  oral  notice  of  the  intention  of  the  Red  Cross  to  be  ready  to  furnish 

any  supplemental  aid  that  might  be  required  by  the  armies  in  the  field. 

Following  the  usual  custom,  the  American  National  Red  Cross 
was  about  to  issue  a  statement  to  the  American  people  for  funds  and 
materials  to  support  its  ministrations  to  the  sick  and  wounded,  when  a 
resolution  was  passed  by  the  board  of  directors  of  the  New  York  Red 
Cross  Hospital,  of  which  institution  Mr.  William  T.  Wardwell  is 
president,  proposing  the  formation  of  a  Relief  Committee.  The  pur- 
pose of  this  committee  was  to  raise  funds  and  supplies,  in  the  name  of 
the  Red  Cross,  and  to  act  as  a  national  auxiliary  in  the  capacit}-  of 
trustees  and  temporary  custodians  of  the  contributions  of  the  people  in 
support  of  the  work  to  be  done  by  the  American  National  Red   Cross. 

The  tender  of  the  proposed  Relief  Committee,  thus  voluntarily 
formed,  was  provisionally  accepted  b)-  Mr.  Stephen  E.  Barton,  subject 
to  the  official  acceptance  by  the  American  National  Red  Cross.  Upon 
this  provisional  acceptance  the  Relief  Committee  proceeded  to  organize, 
and  its  membership  was  enlarged  by  the  addition  of  men  well  known  in 
social  and  financial  circles  of  the  City  and  State  of  New  York. 

The  name  adopted  by  the  committee :  ' '  The  American  National 
Red  Cross  Relief  Committee,"  was  perhaps  unfortunate,  in  some 
respects,  inasmuch  as  it  created  a  certain  confusion  in  the  minds  of  the 
people,  who  were  often  unable  to  distinguish  between  the  parent  organ- 
ization, the  American  National  Red  Cross,  and  the  Relief  Committee 
of  New  York.  The  committee  having  completed  its  organization,  the 
tender  of  its  services  during  the  war  was  made  and  accepted  in  the 
following  terms: 

New  York,  May  j,  1S98. 
Gentlemen:  We  have  before  us  the  official  communication  in  which  your 
secretary,  Mr.  John   P.  Faure,  transmits  to  us  for  action  thereon,  the  following 
resolution  from  your  executive  committee: 

Resolved,  That  the  secretary  be  and  he  hereby  is  instructed  to  officially  notify 
the  American  National  Red  Cross  of  the  fact  of  the  organization  of  this  committee, 
requesting  official  acknowledgment  and  acceptance  by  the  American  National  Red  ' 
Cross,  of  the  tender  of  financial  co-operation  and  support  offered  by  this  committee. 

In  reply  we  would  say  that  it  gives  us  great  pleasure  to  accept  your  generous 
offer  of  financial  co-opcralion  and  support.  In  carrying  out  the  object  of  vour 
offer,  you  are  authorized  to  make  such  a  public  appeal,  in  the  name  of  the  American 
National  Red  Cross,  as  you  may  think  best. 


376  THE   RED   CROSS. 

For  the  purpose  of  unifying  all  effort,  and  concentrating  all  financial  and 
material  supi)ort  to  the  American  National  Red  Cross,  we  also  confidently  entrust 
to  you,  in  consultation  with  our  own  executive  committee,  the  work  of  inviting, 
through  your  committee,  the  co-operation  of  all  Red  Cross  Relief  Committees 
throughout  the  United  States. 

Very  truly  yours. 

The  American  National  Red  Cross, 
Clara  Barton,  President, 
Geo.  Kennan,  Vice-President, 
Stephen  E.  Barton,  Second  Vice-President. 


The  acceptance  of  this  offer  made  necessary  the  formation  of  an 
executive  committee  of  the  American  National  Red  Cross,  with  head- 
quarters in  the  city  of  New  York,  whose  function  it  would  be  to  repre- 
sent the  Red  Cross  in  its  oflScial  dealings  with  the  government  at 
Washington,  the  American  people  and  the  Relief  Committee,  and  to 
devise  ways  and  means  for  the  administration  of  the  contributions  of 
the  people,  through  the  appointment  and  direction  of  official  representa- 
tives of  the  Red  Cross  in  the  camps.  The  executive  committee  was  at 
once  appointed  and  consisted  of  the  following  members:  Stephen  E. 
Barton,  Charles  A.  Schieren,  Hon.  Joseph  Sheldon,  George  W.  Boldt 
and  William  B.  Howland,  and  organized  with  Mr.  Barton  as  chairman 
and  Mr.  Schieren  as  treasurer. 


On  the  fourteenth  day  of  May  the  Relief  Committee  addressed  the 
following  letter  to  the  President  of  the  United  States,  reciting  the 
formal  ofiFer  of  the  American  National  Red  Cross  to  supplement  the 
field  and  hospital  service  of  the  army  and  navy,  and  reiterating  their 
tender  of  co-operation  and  financial  support: 


New  York,  May  20,  i8g8. 
To  the  President: 

Sir:  In  accordance  with  the  request  made  by  you  to  the  special  committee 
appointed  by  the  American  National  Red  Cross  Relief  Committee,  during  its 
recent  visit  to  you,  the  undersigned  members  of  said  special  committee  beg  leave 
to  submit  the  following  statements  for  your  consideration: 

The  American  National  Red  Cross  Relief  Committee  of  New  York,  organized 
with  an  unlimited  number  of  co-operating  and  auxiliary  bodies  throughoiit  the 
country,  for  the  purpose  of  providing  financial  and  material  sustenance  to  the  work 
of  the  American  National  Red  Cross,  Miss  Clara  Barton,  president,  begs  leave  to 
represent  to  the  Government  of  the  United  States  as  follows,  viz: 


HOME   CAMPS   AND   AMERICAN   WATERS.  377 

First. — That  the  American  National  Red  Cross  is  the  duly  incorporated  com- 
mittee representinjT  the  work  of  the  Red  Cross  in  its  civil  capacity,  and  is  recognized 
as  such  by  the  Government  of  the  United  States,  the  governments  of  other  countries 
and  the  International  Committee  at  Geneva. 

Second. — That  we  are  informed  that  the  said  American  National  Red  Cross  has 
given  formal  notice  to  the  Departments  of  State,  War  and  Navy  and  the  Surgeons- 
General  of  the  army  and  navy  of  its  readiness  to  respond  to  any  calls  for  civil  aid 
to  supplement  the  hospital  work  of  the  army  and  navy,  in  accordance  with  the 
provisions  of  the  resolutions  of  the  Geneva  Conference  of  1863  and  the  Geneva 
Convention  of  1864,  and  their  amendments. 

Third. — That,  in  order  to  guarantee  the  fullest  effectiveness  of  the  aid  thus 
offered  by  the  civil  Red  Cross,  this  committee  hereby  gives  you  official  notice  that 
it  stands  ready,  together  with  other  co-operating  committees,  to  furnish  all 
necessary  money  and  material  to  support  the  work  of  the  said  American  National 
Red  Cross,  as  hereinbefore  outlined. 

We  beg  to  request,  Mr.  President,  that  you  take  the  necessary  action  to  have  the 
several  departments  of  the  government  duly  notified  of  this  financial  guarantee  of 
the  assistance  tendered  by  the  American  National  Red  Cross,  to  the  end  that  the 
fullest  reliance  may  be  placed  upon  its  offer,  should  the  extent  of  the  present  war 
over  tax  the  preparations  of  the  medical  departments  of  the  army  and  navy. 

Please  favor  us  with  a  prompt  acknowledgment  of  this  letter  and  information 
as  to  your  action  thereon.  Respectfully, 

Levi  p.  Morton, 
_  Henry  C.  Potter,  D.  D.,  LL.  D., 
William  T.  Wardwell, 
George  F.  Shradv,  M.  D., 
A.  MoNAE  Lesser,  M.  D. 


On  May  24,  the  above  communication  was  transmitted  by  the 
Secretary  of  State  to  the  Department  of  War,  in  the  following  letter  in 
which  he  explains  the  position  of  the  American  National  Red  Cross 
and  its  national  and  international  status: 

Department  of  State. 
The  Honorable  the  Secretary  of  War: 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  to  you  copy  of  a  letter  addressed  to  the 
President  under  date  of  the  twentieth  in.st.,  by  Messrs.  Levi  P.  Morton,  Henry  C. 
Potter,  D.  D  ,  William  T.  Ward  well,  George  F.  Shrady,  'SI.  D.,  and  A.  Monae 
Lesser,  M.  D.,  a  special  committee  appointed  by  the  American  National  Red  Cross 
Relief  Committee,  in  regard  to  the  work  proposed  to  be  undertaken  by  that  organ- 
ization for  the  purpose  of  providing  financial  and  material  support  to  the  work  of 
the  American  National  Red  Cross,  of  which  latter  Miss  Clara  Barton   is  president. 

The  proposal  has  the  President's  cordial  approbation  in  view  of  the  distinctive 
position  of  the  American  National  Red  Cross  as  the  sole  central  organization  in  the 
United  States  in  affiliation  with  the  International  Committee  of  Berne,  and  through 


378  THK   RED   CROSS. 

it  with  the  Central  Red  Cross  Committees  which  have  been  formed  in  every 
country  which  has  adhered  to  the  Geneva  Convention  of  1864. 

It  is  to  be  remembered  that  the  Geneva  Convention  itself  is  largely  the  out- 
growth of  American  initiative.  The  Auierican  Sanitary  Commission,  organized 
during  the  first  years  of  the  War  of  the  Rebellion,  proved  the  efficacy  of  uniform 
and  concentrated  effort  to  bring  into  play  the  benevolent  influences  of  the  people 
to  aid  the  military  authorities  in  caring  for  the  sick  and  wounded  in  war,  and  its 
conspicuous  success  attracted  attention  abroad  to  such  a  degree  that,  in  obedience 
to  a  very  general  desire  in  European  countries,  the  Swiss  Government,  in  1S63, 
invited  an  international  conference  to  formulate  and  adopt  a  general  plan  for  the 
amelioration  of  the  suffering  of  the  sick  and  wounded  in  war.  As  a  result  of  that 
conference  arrangements  were  perfected  for  the  organization  of  central  civil  com- 
mittees in  the  several  countries  to  supplement  the  work  done  by  the  military  service 
of  the  armies  in  the  field,  thus  creating  in  nearly  all  the  Continental  States  organi- 
zations similar  to  the  American  Sanitary  Commission.  The  following  year  another 
conference  was  held  at  Geneva,  under  the  auspices  of  the  International  Committee, 
which  resulted  in  the  signing  of  the  Geueva  Convention  of  1864,  to  which  the 
United  States  is  a  party.  Still  another  conference  in  1868  resulted  in  the  additional 
articles  extending  the  principles  of  the  Geneva  Convention  to  naval  operations, 
which  have  been  adopted  by  this  government  and  Spain  as  a  modus  vivendi  during 
the  present  war. 

Besides  these  truly  international  conventions,  conferences  held  at  Geneva  in 
1867  and  in  1S69  still  further  perfected  the  organization  and  operation  of  the  Inter- 
national Committee  of  Berne  and  its  relations  to  the  several  civil  central  Red  Cross 
Committees  in  the  adhering  States,  to  the  end  that  the  latter  might  not  alone  co- 
operate with  the  governments  of  their  respective  nations  in  time  of  war,  but  should 
perform  analogous  relief  work  in  each  State  in  time  of  pestilence,  famine  or  other 
national  calamity. 

The  American  National  Red  Cross,  incorporated  under  the  laws  of  the 
United  States  for  the  District  of  Columbia,  constitutes  the  sole  legitimate  and  rec- 
ognized local  branch  in  this  country  of  the  great  international  association,  of 
which  the  International  Committee  of  Berne  is  the  head.  Of  its  conspicuous  peace- 
ful services  in  time  of  national  suffering  at  home  and  abroad,  it  is  superfluous  to 
speak.  Its  relation  to  the  military  and  naval  hospital  service  in  time  of  war  is 
now  under  consideration.  Under  the  terms  of  the  Geneva  conventions,  its  aid 
may  be  powerfully  given  to  the  military  and  naval  armies,  with  the  added  prestige 
■which  belongs  to  it  as  the  American  branch  of  the  International  Red  Cross.  By 
the  terms  of  the  Geneva  Convention  of  1864,  the  participation  of  its  agents  in  the 
active  ambulance  and  hospital  service  of  the  armies  and  naval  forces  of  the  United 
States  is  effected  through  the  express  neutralization  of  its  individual  workers  by 
the  military  and  naval  authorities  aud  the  issuance  to  them  of  the  stipulated  arm- 
let bearing  the  sign  of  the  Red  Cross.  Its  assistance,  however,  is  not  limited  to 
this  individual  employment  of  its  agents  in  the  field  ;  it  stands  ready  to  co-operate 
in  the  equipment  and  supplj'  of  ambulauces  and  medical  stores,  drawing  for  its 
resources  on  the  benevolence  of  the  community  and  systematizing  effort  and  aid 
throughout  the  country  by  the  various  local  committees  it  has  organized. 

By  Article  II  of  the  protocol  of  the  Geneva  Conference  of  1863,  which  created 
the  International   Committee  of   Berne  and  its  associated   national   committees, 


HOME   CAMPS    AND    AMERICAN    WATERS.  379 

each  National  Central  Committee  is  to  enter  into  relations  with  the  govern- 
ment of  its  country  so  that  its  services  may  be  accepted  if  occasion  should  present 
itself,  and  by  Article  III,  on  being  called  upon,  or  with  the  assent  of  the  military 
authorities,  the  respective  Central  Committee  is  to  send  volunteer  nurses  to  the 
field  of  battle,  there  to  be  placed  under  the  orders  of  the  commanding  officer. 
These  articles  sufficiently  show  the  character  of  the  aid  to  be  rendered  in  time  of 
war  by  the  widespread  organization  of  which  the  International  Committee  of 
Berne  is  the  head. 

There  is  pending  in  Congress  at  the  present  time  an  act  to  legitimize  the 
national  status  of  the  American  National  Red  Cross  and  to  protect  its  exclusive 
use  of  the  insignia  of  the  Red  Cross  for  the  work  it  was  organized  to  perform,  and 
its  early  passage  is  expected.  Indeed,  it  would  probably  have  become  a  law  before 
now  but  for  a  need  of  a  slight  amendment  which  this  Department  has  advised 
The  purpose  of  that  act  has  the  President's  cordial  approval. 

In  referring  to  me  the  annexed  letter  from  the  special  committeeof  the  Ameri- 
can National  Red  Cross  Relief  Committee  the  President  has  requested  me  to  take 
such  steps  as  may  be  necessary  and  effective  to  recognize  the  American  National 
Red  Cross  as  the  proper  and  sole  representative  in  the  United  States  of  the 
International  Committee,  and,  as  such,  corresponding  to  the  central  committees 
which  have  been  constituted  in  the  several  States  which  have  adhered  to  the 
Geneva  Convention.  So  far  as  international  correspondence  with  the  Swiss 
Government  in  relation  to  the  deliberations  of  the  Geneva  Conference  is  concerned, 
this  government  has  uniformly  recognized  the  American  National  Red  Cross  as 
the  only  civil  body  in  the  United  States  which  is  regularly  affiliated  with  the 
International  Committee  of  Berne  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  out  the  arrangements 
elaborated  by  the  various  conferences  held  at  Geneva,  and  the  representatives  of 
the  American  National  Red  Cross  at  those  conferences  have  uniformly  attended 
with  the  sanction  of  the  United  States  Government.  No  additional  recognition  or 
sanction  is  needed  in  that  quarter. 

"  I  have  therefore  the  honor  to  inform  you,  by  direction  of  the  President, 
that  this  government  recognizes,  for  an)'  appropriate  co-operative  purjjoses,  the 
American  National  Red  Cross  as  the  Civil  Central  American  Committee  in 
correspondence  with  the  International  Committee  for  the  relief  of  the  wounded  in 
war  and  to  invite  similar  recognition  of  its  status  by  your  department  with  a  view 
to  taking  advantage  of  its  proffered  aid  during  the  present  war  so  far  as  may  be 
available. 

Respectfully  yours, 

William  R.  Day, 

Secretary  of  State. 


The  foregoing  letter  from  the  Secretary  of  State  defines  the  position 
of  the  American  National  Red  Cross,  as  uniformly  recognized  by  the 
Government  of  the  United  States,  and  by  the  International  Committee 
representing  all  the  treaty  nations.  The  treaty  contemplates  that  there 
shall  be  in  each  country  one  national  organization  of  the  Red  Cross, 


38o  THE    RED   CROvSS. 

with  power  to  organize  an  unlimited  number  of  subordinate  branches, 
or  auxiliaries,  all  directly  tributary  to  the  national  body.  As  the  per- 
sonnel and  equipment  of  the  Red  Cross  are  expressly  neutralized  and 
protected  by  the  treaty,  it  was  essential  to  the  security  of  all,  that  the 
civil  power  and  responsibility  should  be  concentrated.  It  was  for  this 
reason  that  the  president  of  the  International  Committee,  in  his  letter 
of  March  24,  1882,  urged  that: 

It  is  important  that  we  be  able  to  certify  that  your  government  is  prepared  to 
accept  your  services  in  case  of  war;  that  it  will  readily  enter  into  co-operation  with 
you  and  will  encourage  the  centralization,  under  your  direction,  of  all  voluntary 
aid. 

We  have  no  doubt  that  you  will  readily  obtain,  from  the  competent  author- 
ities, an  official  declaration  to  that  effect,  and  we  believe  this  matter  will  be  merely 
a  formality;  but  we  attach  the  greatest  importance  to  the  fact,  in  order  to  cover 
our  responsibility,  especially  in  view  of  the  pretensions  of  rival  societies  which 
might  claim  to  be  acknowledged  by  us.  It  is  your  society  and  none  other  that  we 
will  recognize. 

It  will  be  seen  that,  in  the  opinion  of  the  International  Committee, 
not  recognition  alone,  but  cordial  co-operation  on  the  part  of  the 
government  is  of  vital  importance.  In  each  country,  the  National 
Red  Cross,  or  national  committee  as  it  is  sometimes  called,  is  the  only 
civil  medium  contemplated  by  the  treaty,  through  which  the  people  of 
the  respective  countries  may  lawfully  communicate  with  the  armies  in 
the  field,  for  the  purpose  of  rendering  such  auxiliary  medical  and 
hospital  service,  and  other  relief,  as  may  be  required.  It  must  be  con- 
stantl)^  born  in  mind,  in  order  to  clearly  understand  the  operations  of 
the  Red  Cross,  that  our  government  and  the  people  are  bound,  not 
only  by  the  solemn  provisions  of  the  treaty,  but  also  by  the  resolutions 
of  the  international  conferences,  composed  of  delegates  authorized  by 
their  respective  governments.  Thus,  the  Secretary  of  State  in  his 
letter  says: 

The  American  National  Red  Cross  constitutes  the  sole  legitimate  and  recog- 
nized local  branch,  in  this  country,  of  thegreat  International  Association,  of  which 
the  International  Committee  at  Berne  is  the  head.  This  government  has  uniformly 
recognized  the  American  National  Red  Cross  as  the  only  civil  body  in  the  United 
States  which  is  regularlj'  affiliated  with  the  International  Committee  of  Berne,  for 
the  purpose  of  carrying  out  the  arrangements  elaborated  by  the  various  conferences 
held  at  Geneva,  and  the  representatives  of  the  American  National  Red  Cross  at 
those  conferences  have  uniform!}'  attended  with  the  sanction  of  the  United  States 
Government.     No  additional  recognition  or  sanction  is  needed  in  that  quarter. 


>^--4:^. 


jwi-..„>*ri' 


HOME   CAMPS   AND   AMERICAN   WATERS.  383 

The  American  National  Red  Cross  is,  consequently,  the  recognized 
source  from  which  is  derived  all  civil  authority  to  use  the  official 
insignia  and  to  work  under  the  Red  Cross  as  auxiliary  to  the  army  and 
navy.  The  national  Red  Cross,  in  each  country,  is  responsible  to  its 
own  government  and,  through  the  International  Committee,  to  all  the 
nations  of  the  treaty,  for  the  integrity  of  its  branches.  Auxiliaries  of 
the  Red  Cross  must  therefore  receive  their  charters  or  certificates  of 
authority  from  the  parent  organization,  which,  in  turn,  is  held  to  a 
strict  observance  of  all  its  treaty  obligations.  Hence  the  use  of  the 
name  or  of  the  insignia  of  the  Red  Cross  by  civil  societies,  in  relief 
work,  without  the  sanction  of  the  national  organization,  is  an  imposition 
and  a  violation  of  the  treaty.  Without  such  official  permission  or 
charter,  no  auxiliary  can  have  any  rightful  existence,  as  a  branch  of 
the  American  National  Red  Cross. 

After  having  secured  for  the  people  by  treaty  the  right,  through 
their  own  national  organizations  of  the  Red  Cross,  to  contribute  to  the 
relief  of  the  sick  and  wounded  in  war,  the  delegates  to  the  inter- 
national conventions  at  Geneva  continued  their  labors  until  there  was 
added  to  the  functions  of  the  Red  Cross,  the  power  to  administer  relief, 
in  times  of  peace,  on  fields  of  national  disaster.  Out  of  compliment  to 
the  president  of  the  American  National  Red  Cross,  who  advocated  this 
extension,  the  addition  to  the  treaty  is  known  as  "The  American 
Amendment."  Referring  to  it,  the  Secretary  of  State  in  his  letter 
continues: 

Conferences  held  at  Geneva  in  1867  and  1869,  still  further  perfected  the 
organization  and  operation  of  the  International  Committee  of  Berne,  and  its  rela- 
tions to  the  several  civil  Central  Red  Cross  Committees  in  the  adhering  States,  to 
the  end  that  the  latter  might  not  alone  co-operate  with  the  governments  of  their 
respective  nations  in  time  of  war,  but  should  perform  analogous  relief  work  in 
each  State  in  time  of  pestilence,  famine  or  other  national  calamity.  Of  the  .Ameri- 
can National  Red  Cross,  and  its  conspicuous  peaceful  services  in  time  of  national 
suffering  at  home  and  abroad,  it  is  superfluous  to  speak. 

Thus  is  clearly  explained  why,  on  such  great  fields  of  suffering 
and  disaster  as  the  Ohio  Floods,  the  Russian  Famine,  the  Sea  Islands 
Hurricane,  in  Armenia  and  in  Cuba,  the  American  National  Red  Cro.ss 
is  found  endeavoring  to  carry  out  the  benign  intentions  of  the  Treaty 
of  Geneva. 

For  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  warfare,  it  was  now  proposed 
to  fit  out,  and  maintain  at  sea,  hospital  ships  for  the  relief  of  sick  and 


384  THE   RED   CROSS. 

wounded.  The  Treaty  of  Geneva,  however,  only  provided  for  the 
recognition  and  protection  of  the  hospital  service  of  the  army  in  its 
operations  upon  the  land.  An  amendment  to  the  treaty  was  proposed 
by  the  convention  which  met  at  Geneva  on  October  20,  1868, 
extending  the  treaty  to  include  hospital  service  at  sea.  This  amend- 
ment, concerning  naval  hospital  service,  was  known  as  the  "  Ad- 
ditional Articles,"  and,  although  the  Government  of  the  United  States 
in  acceding  to  the  Treaty  of  Geneva  included  the  proposed  amend- 
ment. President  Arthur  in  his  proclamation  of  August  9,  1882, 
reserved  the  promulgation  of  the  Additional  Articles  until  after  the 
exchange  of  ratifications  by  the  signatory  Powers.  The  Additional 
Articles  were  never  ratified  by  the  other  treaty  nations,  and,  at  the 
beginning  of  the  Spanish- American  war,  they  were  not  in  force  as  a 
part  of  the  treaty.  Spain  was  therefore  under  no  treaty  obligation  to 
respect  the  flag  of  the  Red  Cross  upon  the  ocean. 

Although  the  Additional  Articles  had  not  yet  been  formally  rati- 
fied, the  Swiss  Government,  acting  as  an  intermediary,  and  with  a 
view  to  securing  their  observance  by  both  belligerents  during  the  war, 
opened  a  diplomatic  correspondence  between  the  governments  of  the 
United  States  and  Spain,  proposing  the  adoption  of  a  temporary  agree- 
ment, or  viodus  Vivendi,  during  the  continuance  of  hostilities.  The 
official  correspondence  on  the  subject  between  the  Secretary  of  State 
and  the  Swiss  Minister  will  be  of  interest,  as  showing  the  method  by 
which  the  temporary  agreement  between  the  two  countries  was  secured, 
the  modifications  made  and  the  interpretation  placed  upon  some  of  the 
doubtful  clauses: 

Swiss  Legation, 

Washington,  April  23,  1898. 
Mr.  Secretary  of  State:  War  having  been  now  unhappily  declared  between 
the  United  States  and  Spain,  my  government,  in  its  capacit}'  as  the  intermediary 
organ  between  the  signatory  states  of  the  convention  of  Geneva,  has  decided  to  pro, 
pose  to  the  cabinets  of  Washington  and  Madrid  to  lecognize  and  carry  into  execution, 
as  a  modus  vivendi,  during  the  whole  duration  of  hostilities,  the  additional  articles, 
proposed  by  the  International  Conference  which  met  at  Geneva  on  October  20, 
1868,  to  the  convention  of  Geneva  of  August  22,  1864,  which  (additional  articles) 
extend  the  effects  of  that  convention  to  naval  wars.  Although  it  has  as  yet  been 
impossible  to  convert  the  said  draft  of  additional  articles  into  a  treaty,  still,  in 
1870.  Germany  and  France,  at  the  suggestion  of  the  Swiss  Federal  Council,  con- 
sented to  apply  the  additional  articles  as  a  modus  vivendi,  during  the  whole  dura- 
tion of  hostilities.  The  Federal  Council  proposes  the  additional  articles  as  they 
have  been  amended  at  the  request  of  France  and  construed  by  that  power  and 
Great  Britain. 


HOME  CAMPS  AND  AMERICAN  WATERS.  385 

My  government,  while  instructing  me  to  make  this  proposition  to  Your  Excel- 
lency, recalls  the  fact  that,  on  March  i,  1882,  the  President  of  the  United  States 
declared  that  he  acceded,  not  only  to  the  Geneva  Convention  of  August  22,  1864, 
but  also  to  the  additional  articles  of  October  20,  1S68. 

The  Spanish  Government,  likewise,  in  1872,  declared  itself  ready  to  adhere  to 
these  articles.  The  Federal  Council,  therefore,  hopes  that  the  two  governments 
will  agree  to  adopt  the  measure,  the  object  of  which  is  to  secure  the  application 
on  the  seas  of  the  humane  principles  laid  down  in  the  Geneva  Convention. 

With  the  confident  expectation  of  a  favorable  reply  from  the  United  States 
Government  to  this  proposal,  I  avail  myself,  etc.,  J.  B.  PiODA. 


Department  of  State, 

Washington,  April  2^,  i8g8. 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  note  of  the  twenty- 
third  instant,  whereby,  in  view  of  the  condition  of  war  existing  between  the  United 
States  and  Spain,  you  communicate  the  purpose  of  your  government  to  propose  to 
the  cabinets  of  Washington  and  JMadrid  that  they  recognize  and  carry  into  execu- 
tion, as  a  modus  vivendi,  during  the  whole  duration  of  hostilities,  the  additional 
articles  proposed  by  the  International  Conference  of  Geneva,  under  date  of  October 
20,  1S68,  for  the  purpose  of  extending  to  naval  wars  the  effects  of  the  convention 
ofOeneva  of  August  22,  1864,  for  the  succor  of  the  wounded  in  armies  in  the  field. 

As  you  note  in  the  communication  to  which  I  have  the  honor  to  replj',  the 
United  States,  through  the  act  of  the  President,  did  on  the  first  day  of  March, 
1882,  accede  to  the  said  additional  articles  of  October  20,  1868,  at  the  same  time  that 
it  acceded  to  the  original  convention  of  Geneva  of  August  22,  1864;  but,  as  is 
recited  in  the  President's  proclamation  of  July  26,  1882,  a  copy  of  which  I  enclose 
herewith,  the  exchange  of  the  ratifications  of  the  aforesaid  additional  articles  of 
October  20,  1868,  had  not  then  (nor  has  since)  taken  place  between  the  contracting 
parties,  so  that  the  promulgation  of  the  accession  of  the  United  States  to  the  said 
additional  articles  was  (and  still  remains)  reserved  until  the  exchange  of  the  ratifica- 
tions thereof  between  the  several  contracting  states  shall  have  been  effected  and 
the  said  additional  articles  shall  have  acquired  full  force  and  effect  as  an  interna- 
tional treaty. 

I  find,  upon  examination  of  the  published  correspondence  which  took  place  in 
1870  at  the  time  of  the  war  between  France  and  North  Germany  (British  and 
Foreign  State  Papers,  vol.  60,  pp.  945-946),  that  upon  the  initiative  of  the  Prussian 
minister  at  Berne,  followed  Iw  the  proposal  made  by  the  government  of  the  Swiss 
confederation  to  the  French  and  North  German  governments,  the  then  bellig- 
erents severally  notified  to  the  government  of  Switzerland  their  willingness  to 
accept  provisionally  and  at  once  to  establish  as  a  modus  vivendi  applicable  to  the 
war  then  in  progress,  both  by  sea  and  land,  all  the  additional  articles  to  the  con- 
vention of  Geneva  of  October  20,  1868,  together  with  the  subsequent  interpretations 
of  the  ninth  and  tenth  articles  thereof  agreed  upon  and  proposed  by  England  and 
France.  I  understand  from  your  note  that,  although  those  articles  have  not  as  yet 
become  a  matter  of  international  convention,  it  is  desired  that  the  United  States 
and  Spain  accede  to  the  same,  together  with  the  same  amendments  and  construction 
as  above  stated.     I  entertain  no  doubt  that  the  United  States  will  readily  lend 


3«^'  THE   RRD   CROSS. 

its  support  and  approval  to  the  general  purpose  of  those  articles  and  be  in  favor  of 
adopting  them  as  a  modu^  vivcndi;  it  has  ever  been  in  favor  of  proper  regulations 
for  the  mitigation  of  the  hardships  of  war.  But  before  it  can  accede  to  them  as  a 
matter  of  fact,  in  the  present  instance,  it  must  first  fully  understaud  the  nature  and 
text  of  the  amendments  and  construction  placed  upon  the  articles  by  France  and 
England  as  stated  bj*  you. 

I  would  respectfully  suggest,  therefore,  that  there  be  furnished  to  this  govern- 
ment either  the  text  or  a  clear  exposition  of  the  articles,  with  the  amendtnents 
and  constructions  referred  to,  in  order  that  the  understanding  may  be  complete. 
A  certain  pamphlet,  written  by  Lieutenant  Colonel  Poland  in  1886,  is  said  to 
contain  these  amendments  and  constructions,  but  there  is  not  now  accessible  to  the 
Department  of  State  a  copy  of  such  pamphlet  or  other  reliable  means  of  informa- 
tion on  the  subject.  I  .shall  await  with  pleasure  fuller  and  exact  information  from 
you  of  the  terms  to  which  we  are  asked  to  accede. 

Accept,  etc,  John  Sherman. 


Swiss  Legation, 

WashinCxTon,  D.  C,  May  4,  1S98. 

Mr.  Secretary  oE  State:  I  have  had  the  honor  to  receive  the  note  which  your 
honorable  predecessor  did  me  the  favor  of  addressing  to  me  under  the  date  of  the 
twenty-fifth  of  April,  in  reply  to  mine  of  the  twentN'-tliird  of  the  same  month,  upon 
the  subject  of  the  proposition  of  my  government  to  the  cabinets  of  Washington 
and  Madrid  to  adopt  as  a  modus  vivendi,  pending  the  entire  duration  of  the  war, 
the  articles  of  the  twentieth  of  October,  1868,  additional  to  those  of  the  convention 
of  Geneva  of  the  tweuty-second  of  August,  1S64. 

The  documents  which,  in  the  aforesaid  note  of  your  predecessor,  were  desired 
and  which,  as  I  have  had  the  opportunity  of  telling  you  verbally,  my  government 
had  sent  at  the  same  time  that  it  instructed  me  by  cable  to  make  the  overtures  on 
the  .subject,  have  just  arrived,  and  I  enclose  them  herein  in  duplicate  copies. 
The}'  confirm  the  text  of  the  additional  articles,  the  modification  of  Article  IX 
proposed  by  France  and  the  notes  exchanged  between  England  and  France 
concerning  the  import  of  Article  X.  The  Spanish  Government  having,  by  note  of 
its  Legation  of  the  seventh  of  September,  1872,  also  declared  that  it  was  ready  to 
adhere  to  the  articles  in  question,  the  Federal  Council  hopes  that  the  governments 
of  America  and  Spain,  appreciating  the  sentiments  which  have  guided  it  in  its 
course,  will  be  of  accord  in  adopting  as  a  modus  vivendi  a  measure  which  has  for 
its  purpose  the  securing  of  the  application  upon  the  sea  of  the  humanitarian 
principles  consecrated  by  the  Geneva  Convention. 

Awaiting  your  comnmnication  to  me  of  the  decision  which  the  Government  of 
the  United  States  shall  see  fit  to  take  in  regard  to  this  proposition,  I  offer  you,  Mr. 
Secretarj'  of  State,  the  expression  of  my  very  highest  consideration. 

J.  B.  PlODA. 

Department  of  State, 

Washington,  May  g,  iSgS. 
Sir:     Upon  receiving  your  note  of  the  fourth  instant,  in  reply  to  mine  of  tl  e 
twenty-fifth  of  April,  concerning  the  proposition  of  the  Government  of  the  Swiss 


HOME  CAMPS   AND    AMERICAN  WATERS.  387 

Confederation  that  the  United  States  and  Spain  adopt  as  a  modus  vivendi,  pending 
the  entire  duration  of  the  war,  the  articles  of  October  20,  1868,  additional  to  those 
of  the  convention  of  Geneva  on  August  22,  1864,  I  communicated  all  the  papers  in 
the  case  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  calling  his  attention  to  the  form  of  the 
modus  Vivendi  adopted  during  the  Franco-German  war,  which  your  government 
was  pleased  to  suggest  as  a  precedent  to  be  followed  during  the  existing  war.  The 
printed  paper  you  enclose,  besides  giving  the  text  of  the  original  additional  articles 
of  October  20,  1S68,  contains  the  correspondence  l;^d  in  1868  and  1869  concerning 
the  interpretation  of  Articles  IX  and  X  of  the  said  additional  convention  and 
thus  establishes  the  precise  nature  of  the  understanding  to  which  France  and  the 
North  German  States  respectively  acceded. 

As  so  expressed,  the  Government  of  the  United  States  finds  no  difficulty  in 
acceding  to  the  suggestion  of  the  Government  of  Switzerland.  It  had,  in  fact, 
anticipated  it,  so  far  as  concerns  its  own  conduct  of  hostilities  and  its  own  purpose 
to  observe  the  humane  dictates  of  modern  civilization  in  the  prosecution  of  warfare 
upon  the  sea  as  well  as  upon  land  by  fitting  out  and  equipping  a  special  ambulance 
ship,  the  "Solace,"  in  confonnity  with  the  terms  of  the  additional  convention 
aforesaid,  thus  confirming  emphatically  its  adhesion  to  the  principles  of  that 
beneficient  arrangement  without  regard  to  the  absence  of  its  formal  ratification  by 
the  various  signatories. 

I  am  happy,  therefore,  to  advise  you,  and  through  you  the  Government  of  the 
Swiss  Confederation,  that  the  Government  of  the  United  States  will  for  its  part, 
and  so  long  as  the  present  war  between  this  country  and  Spain  shall  last,  treat  as 
an  effective  modus  vivendi  the  fourteen  additional  articles  of  October  20,  1868, 
with  the  interpretations  of  the  ninth  and  tenth  articles  thereof  appearing  in  the 
publication  you  comnmnicate  to  me.  While  it  is  proper  to  adopt  this  course  on  its 
own  account,  and  without  reference  to  such  action  as  Spain  may  take,  this  govern- 
ment would  nevertheless  be  glad  to  hear  that  the  representations  made  by  your 
government  to  that  of  Spain  had  met  with  a  favorable  response  in  order  that  the 
two  parties  to  the  present  contest  may  stand  pledged  to  the  same  humane  and 
enlightened  conduct  of  naval  operations  as  respects  the  sick  and  wounded  as  was 
recognized  and  adopted  by  the  respective  parties  to  the  Franco- Prussian  war. 

Should  the  Government  of  Spain  likewise  accede  to  the  Swiss  proposition,  I 
should  be  much  gratified  to  be  apprised  of  the  fact,  and  also  that  the  Spanish 
accession  contemplates  acceptance  of  the  interpretations  of  Articles  IX  and  X 
which  were  adopted  by  France  and  the  North  German  States  and  which  are 
embraced  in  the  proposition  of  your  government. 

Accept,  etc., 

WiLUAM  R.  Day. 


Swiss  Lhgation, 

Washington,  D.  C,  May  9,  iSgS. 
Mr.  Secretary  of  State  :  As  I  had  the  honor  verbally  to  infonn  the  As- 
sistant Secretary  of  State  this  morning,  my  Government  has  charged  me  to  bring 
to  the  knowledge  of  Your  Excellency  that  the  Spanish  Govtrnment  has  accepted 
the  proposition  of  the  Federal  Council  concerning  the  additional  articles  of  the 
Geneva  Convention. 


388  THE   RED   CROSS. 

I  doubt  not  that  Your  Excellency  will  be  pleased  very  soon  to  enable  me  to 
announce  to  the  Federal  Council  that  the  Government  of  the  Union  also  adheres 
for  its  part  to  the  proposed  modus  vivcfidi,  and  in  this  expectation  I  offer  to  Your 
Excellency  the  expression  of  my  very  high  consideration. 

J.  B.  PlODA. 


Department  of  State, 

WA.SHINGTON,  May  lo,  i8g8. 
Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  note  of  May  9, 
formally  notifying  nie  that  the  Spanish  Government  has  accepted  the  proposition 
of  the  Federal  Council  concerning  the  additional  articles  of  the  Geneva  Conven- 
tion, and  expressing  the  hope  that  you  would  be  soon  enabled  to  inform  your 
government  that  the  United  States  Government  adheres  for  its  part  to  the  pro- 
posed modus  Vivendi. 

As  you  were  advised  in  the  verbal  interview  with  the  Second  Assistant  Secre- 
tary of  State,  to  which  you  refer  in  your  note  of  the  ninth,  I  have  already  had  the 
pleasure  of  informing  you,  by  my  official  note  of  that  date,  that  the  United  States 
Government  would  for  its  part  treat  as  an  effective  modus  vivendi  the  additional 
articles  of  1868,  with  the  amendments  and  interpretations  of  Articles  IX  and  X 
thereof  appearing  in  the  publication  communicated  to  me  by  you.  I  trust  that 
that  note,  which  apparently  had  not  reached  your  hands  at  the  time  of  your  note 
to  me  of  the  same  date,  has  now  been  received  by  you  and  its  contents  transmitted 
to  the  Federal  Council. 

Be  pleased  to  accept,  etc., 

William  R.  Day. 


The  additional  articles  concerning  the  Maritime  Hospital  Service 
in  war,  as  modified  by  the  viodiis  vivendi,  forming  Articles  VI  to  XV  of 
the  Treaty  of  Geneva  when  formally  ratified,  are: 


Art.  VI.  The  boats  which,  at  their  own  risk  and  peril,  during  and  after  an  en- 
gagement pick  up  the  shipwrecked  or  wounded,  or  which,  having  picked  them 
up,  convej'  them  on  board  a  neutral  or  hospital  ship,  shall  enjoy,  until  the  accom- 
plishment of  their  mission,  the  character  of  neutrality,  as  far  as  the  circumstances 
of  the  engagement  and  the  position  of  the  ships  engaged  will  permit. 

The  appreciation  of  these  circumstances  is  entrusted  to  the  humanity  of  all 
the  combatants.  The  wrecked  and  wounded  thus  picked  up  and  saved  must  not 
serve  again  during  the  continuance  of  the  war. 

Art.  VII.  The  religious,  medical  and  hospital  staff  of  any  captured  vessel  are 
declared  neutral,  and,  on  leaving  the  ship,  may  remove  the  articles  and  surgical 
instruments  which  are  tlieir  private  property. 

Art.  VIII.  The  staff  designated  in  the  preceding  article  mu.st  continue  to  ful- 
fill their  functions  in  the  captured  ship,  assisting  in  the  removal  of  tlie   noun. led 


HOME   CAMPS   AND   AMERICAN   WATERS.  389 

made  by  the  victorious  party;  they  will  then  beat  liberty  to  return  to  their  country, 
in  conformity  with  the  second  paragraph  of  the  first  aditional  article.* 

The  stipulations  of  the  second  additional  articlef  are  applicable  to  the  pay  and 
allowance  of  the  staff. 

Art.  IX.  The  military  hospital  ships  remain  under  martial  law  in  all  that  con- 
cerns their  stores;  they  become  the  property  of  the  captor,  but  the  latter  must  not 
divert  them  from  their  special  appropriation  during  the  contiimance  of  the  war. 

[The  vessels  not  equipped  for  fighting,  which  during  peace,  the  government 
shall  have  officially  declared  to  be  intended  to  serve  as  floating  hospital  ships,  shall 
however,  enjoy  during  the  war  complete  neutrality,  both  as  regards  stores,  and 
also  as  regards  their  stalT,  jirovided  their  equipment  is  exclusively  appropriated  to 
the  special  service  on  which  they  are  employed.] 

Art.  X.  Any  merchantman,  to  whatever  nation  she  may  belong,  charged 
e.Kclusively  with  removal  of  sick  and  wounded,  is  protected  by  neutrality,  but  the 
mere  fact,  noted  on  the  ship's  books,  of  the  vessel  having  been  visited  by  an 
enemy's  cruiser,  renders  the  sick  and  wounded  incapable  of  serving  during  the 
contiimance  of  the  war.  The  cruiser  shall  even  have  the  right  of  putting  on  board 
an  officer  in  order  to  accompany  the  convoy,  and  thus  verify  the  good  faith  of  the 
operation. 

If  the  merchant  ship  also  carries  a  cargo,  her  neutrality  will  still  protect  it, 
provided  that  such  cargo  is  not  of  a  nature  to  be  confiscated  by  the  belligerent. 

The  belligerents  retain  the  right  to  interdict  neutralized  vessels  from  all  com- 
munication, and  from  any  course  which  they  might  deem  prejudicial  to  the  secrecy 
of  their  operations.  In  urgent  cases  special  conventions  may  be  entered  into 
between  commanders  in  chief,  in  order  to  neutralize  temporarily  and  in  a  specia . 
manner  the  vessels  intended  for  the  removal  of  the  sick  and  wounded. 

Art.  XI.  Wounded  or  sick  sailors  and  soldiers,  when  embarked,  to  whatevex 
nation  they  may  belong,  shall  be  protected  and  taken  care  of  by  their  captors. 

Their  return  to  their  own  country  is  subject  to  the  provisions  of  Article  Vi 
of  the  convention  and  of  the  additional  Article  V.J 

Art.  XII.  The  distinctive  flag  to  be  used  with  the  national  flag,  in  order  to 
indicate  any  vessel  or  boat  which  may  claim  the  benefits  of  neutrality,  in  virtue 
of  the  principles  of  this  convention,  is  a  white  flag  with  a  red  cross.  The  belliger- 
ents may  exercise  in  this  respect  any  mode  of  verification  which  they  may  deem 
necessary. 

Military  hospital  ships  shall  be  distinguished  by  being  painted  white  outside 
with  green  strake. 

*  Articlb  I.  The  persons  designated  in  Article  II  of  the  convention  shall,  after  the  occupation 
by  the  enemy,  continue  to  fulfill  their  duties,  accoiding  to  their  wants,  to  the  sick  and  wounded 
in  the  ambulance  or  the  hospital  which  they  serve.  Wlieii  they  request  to  withdraw,  the 
comniauder  of  the  occupying  troops  shall  fix  the  time  of  departure,  which  he  shall  only  be 
allowed  to  delay  for  a  short  time  in  case  of  military  necessity, 

tARi.  II.  Arrangements  will  have  to  be  made  by  the  belligerent  powers  to  insure  to  the 
neutralized  person  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  army  of  the  enemy,  the  entire  enjoj'ment  of  his 
salary. 

t  Art.  V.  In  addition  to  Article  \'I  o(  the  convention,  it  is  stipulated  that,  with  the  reservation 
of  officers  whose  detention  might  be  important  to  the  fate  of  arms  and  within  the  limits  fixed  by 
the  second  paragraph  of  that  article,  the  wounded  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy  shall  be 
sent  back  to  their  country  after  th'-y  are  cured,  or  sooner  if  possible,  on  condition,  nevertheless, 
of  not  again  bearing  arms  during  the  continuance  of  the  war. 


390  THK   RED   CROSS. 

Art.  XIII.  The  hospital  ships  which  are  equipped  at  the  expense  of  the  aid 
societies,  recognized  by  the  governments  signing  this  convention,  and  wliich  are 
furnished  with  a  comuiissiou  emanating  from  the  sovereign,  who  shall  have  given 
express  authority  for  their  being  fitted  out,  and  with  a  certificate  from  the  proper 
naval  authority  that  they  have  been  placed  under  his  control  during  their  fitting 
out  and  on  their  final  departure,  and  that  they  were  then  appropriated  solely  to 
the  purpose  of  their  mission,  shall  be  considered  neutral,  as  well  as  the  whole  of 
their  staff.     They  shall  be  recognized  and  protected  by  the  belligerents. 

They  shall  make  themselves  known  by  hoisting  together  with  their  national 
flag,  the  while  flag  with  a  red  cross.  The  distinctive  mark  of  their  staff",  while 
performing  their  duties,  shall  be  an  armlet  of  the  .same  colors.  The  outer  painting 
of  these  ho.spital  ships  shall  be  white,  with  red  strake. 

These  ships  shall  bear  aid  and  assistance  to  the  wounded  and  wrecked  bellig- 
erents, without  distinction  of  nationality. 

They  nmst  take  care  not  to  interfere  in  any  way  with  the  movements  of  the 
combatants.  During  and  after  the  battle  they  nmst  do  their  duty  at  their  own  risk 
and  peril. 

The  belligerents  shall  have  the  right  of  controlling  and  visiting  them  ;  they 
will  be  at  liberty  to  refuse  their  assistance,  to  order  them  to  depart,  and  to  detain 
them  if  the  exigencies  of  the  case  require  such  a  step. 

The  wounded  and  wrecked  picked  up  by  these  ships  cannot  be  reclaimed  by 
either  of  the  combatants,  and  they  will  be  required  not  to  serve  during  the  con- 
tinuance of  the  war. 

Art.  XIV,  In  naval  wars  any  strong  presumption  that  either  belligerent 
takes  advantage  of  the  benefits  of  neutrality,  with  any  other  view  than  the  interest 
of  the  sick  and  wounded,  gives  to  the  other  belligerent,  until  proof  to  the  con- 
trary, the  right  of  suspending  the  convention  as  regards  such  belligerent. 

Should  this  presumption  become  a  certainty,  notice  may  be  given  to  such 
belligerent  that  the  convention  is  suspended  with  regard  to  him  during  the  whole 
continuance  of  the  war. 

Art.  XV.  The  present  act  shall  be  drawn  up  in  a  single  original  copy,  which 
shall  be  deposited  in  the  archives  of  the  Swiss  Confederation. 

An  authentic  copy  of  this  act  shall  be  delivered,  with  an  invitation  to  adhere 
to  it,  to  each  of  the  signatory  powers  of  the  convention  of  the  twenty-second  of 
August,  1864,  as  well  as  to  those  that  have  successively  acceded  to  it. 

In  faith  whereof,  the  undersigned  commissaries  have  drawn  up  the  present 
project  of  additional  articles  and  have  apposed  thereunto  the  seals  of  their  arms. 

[Done  at  Geneva,  the  twentieth  day  of  the  month  of  October,  of  the  year  one 
thousand,  eight  hundred  and  sixty-eight.] 


The  following  note  shows  the  special  amendment  and  the  inter- 
pretation of  certain  clauses  of  the  articles,  as  agreed  by  the  Govern- 
ments of  the  United  States  and  Spain: 


SECRETARY  OF  THE  NAVY  LONG. 


HOME   CAMPS   AND   AMERICAN    WATERS.  393 

NOTE. 

(a)  The  amendment  proposed  by  France  is  contained  in  brackets  after  Article 
IX. 

{d}  The  interpretation  placed  upon  Article  X  by  England  and  France  is  to  the 
following  effect: 

The  question  being  raised  as  to  whether  under  Article  X  a  vessel  might  not 
avail  herself  of  the  carrying  of  sick  or  wounded  to  engage  with  impunity  in  traffic 
otherwise  hazardous  under  the  rules  of  war,  it  was  agreed  that  there  was  no  pur- 
pose in  the  articles  to  modify  in  any  particular  the  generally  admitted  principles 
concerning  the  rights  of  belligerents;  that  the  performance  of  such  services  of 
humanity  could  not  be  used  as  a  cover  either  for  contraband  of  war  or  for  enemy 
merchandise;  and  that  every  boat  which  or  whose  cargo  would,  under  ordinary 
circumstances,  be  subject  to  confiscation,  can  not  be  relieved  therefrom  by  the  sole 
fact  of  carrying  sick  and  wounded. 

Question  being  raised  as  to  whether,  under  Article  X  an  absolute  right  was 
afforded  to  a  blockaded  party  to  freely  remove  its  sick  and  wounded  from  the  block- 
aded town,  it  was  agreed  that  such  removal  or  evacuation  of  sick  and  wounded 
was  entirely  subject  to  the  consent  of  the  blockading  jjarty.  It  should  be  permit- 
ted for  humanity's  sake  where  the  superior  exigencies  of  war  may  not  intervene  to 
prevent,  but  the  besieging  party  might  refuse  permission  entirely. 

The  full  text  of  the  French  interpretation  of  Article  X  is  subjoined. 

The  second  paragraph  of  the  additional  Article  X  reads  thus:  "  If  the  mer- 
chant ship  also  carries  a  cargo,  her  neutrality  will  still  protect  it,  provided  that 
such  cargo  is  not  of  a  nature  to  be  confiscated  by  the  belligerent." 

The  words  "of  a  nature  to  be  confiscated  by  the  belligerent"  apply  equally 
to  the  nationality  of  the  merchandise  and  to  its  quality. 

Thus,  according  to  the  latest  international  conventions,  merchandise  of  a 
nature  to  be  confiscated  by  a  cruiser  are: 

First.    Contraband  of  war,  under  whatever  flag. 

Second.     Enemy  merchandise  under  enemy  flag. 

The  cruiser  need  not  recognize  the  neutrality  of  the  vessel  carrying  wounded 
if  any  part  of  its  cargo  shall,  under  international  law,  be  comprised  in  either  of 
these  two  categories  of  goods. 

The  faculty  given  by  the  paragraph  in  question  to  leave  on  board  of  vessels 
carrying  wounded  a  portion  of  the  cargo  is  to  be  considered  as  a  facility  for  the 
carriage  of  freight,  as  well  as  a  valuable  privilege  in  favor  of  the  navigability  oi 
merchant  vessels  if  they  be  bad  sailors  when  only  in  ballast;  but  this  faculty  can 
in  no  wise  prejudice  the  right  of  confiscation  of  the  cargo  within  the  limits  fixed 
by  international  law. 

Every  ship  the  cargo  of  which  would  be  subject  to  confiscation  by  the  cruiser 
under  ordinary  circumstances  is  not  susceptible  of  being  covered  by  neutrality  by 
the  sole  fact  of  carrying  in  addition  sick  or  wounded  men.  The  ship  and  the 
cargo  would  then  come  uiuler  the  common  law  of  war,  which  has  not  been  modi- 
fied by  the  convention  except  in  favor  of  the  vessel  exclusively  laden  with  wounded 
men,  or  the  cargo  of  which  would  not  be  subject  to  confiscation  in  any  case. 
Thus,  for  example,  the  merchant  ship  of  a  belligerent  laden  with  neutral  inerchau- 
dise  and  at  the  same  time  carrying  sick  and  wounded  is  covered  by  neutrality. 


394  THK   RICD    CROSS. 

The  merchant  ship  of  a  belligerent  carrying,  besides  wounded  and  sick  men, 
goods  of  the  enemy  of  the  cruiser's  nation  or  contraband  of  war  is  not  neutral,  and 
the  ship,  as  well  as  the  cargo,  comes  under  the  common  law  of  war. 

A  jieutral  ship  carrying,  in  addition  to  wounded  and  sick  men  of  the  bel- 
ligerent, contraband  of  war  also  is  suliject  to  the  common  law  of  war. 

A  neutral  ship  carrying  goods  of  any  nationality,  but  not  contraband  of  war, 
lends  its  own  neutrality  to  the  wounded  and  sick  which  it  may  carry. 

In  so  far  as  concerns  the  usage  which  expressly  prohibits  a  cartel  ship  from 
engaging  in  any  connnerce  whatsoever  at  the  point  of  arrival,  it  is  deemed  that 
there  is  no  occasion  to  specially  subject  to  that  inhibition  vessels  carrying  wounded 
men,  because  the  second  paragraph  of  Article  X  imposes  upon  the  belligerents, 
equally  as  upon  neutrals,  the  exclusion  of  the  transportation  of  merchandise  sub- 
ject to  confiscation. 

Moreover,  if  one  of  the  belligerents  should  abuse  the  privilege  which  is 
accorded  to  him,  and  under  the  pretext  of  transporting  the  wounded  should 
neutralize  imder  its  flag  an  important  commercial  intercourse  which  might  in  a 
notorious  manner  influence  the  chances  or  the  duration  of  the  war.  Article  XIV 
of  the  convention  could  justly  be  invoked  by  the  other  belligerent. 

As  for  the  second  point  of  the  note  of  the  British  Government,  relative  to  the 
privilege  of  effectively  removing  from  a  city,  besieged  and  blockaded  by  sea,  under 
the  cover  of  neutrality,  vessels  bearing  wounded  and  sick  men,  in  such  a  way  as 
to  prolong  the  resistance  of  the  besieged,  the  convention  does  not  authorize  this 
privilege.  In  according  the  benefits  of  a  neutral  status  of  a  specifically  limited 
neutrality  to  vessels  carrying  wounded,  the  convention  could  not  give  them  rights 
superior  to  those  of  other  neutrals  who  can  not  pass  an  effective  blockade  without 
special  authorization.  Humanity,  however,  in  such  a  case,  does  not  lose  all  its 
rights,  and,  if  circumstances  permit  the  besieging  party  to  relax  the  rigorous 
rights  of  the  blockade,  the  besieged  party  may  make  propositions  to  that  end  in 
virtue  of  the  fourth  paragraph  of  Article  X. 


It  was  under  this  modus  vivetidi  that  the  steam  launch  "  Moy- 
nier ' '  received  from  the  Government  of  the  United  States  her  com- 
mission as  a  little  ho.spital  .ship  of  the  Red  Cross.  For  this  little  vessel, 
presented  by  Mr.  William  B.  Rowland,  the  editor  of  the  Outlook, 
as  the  gift  of  the  readers  of  that  popular  periodical,  the  Red  Cross  is 
gratefully  indebted. 

On  June  6,  1898,  the  tender  of  the  services  of  the  American 
National  Red  Cross  to  act  as  an  auxiliary  to  the  Medical  and  Ho.spital 
Service  of  the  Army  and  Navy,  in  accordance  with  the  treaty,  was 
formally  accepted  by  the  Departments  of  War  and  Navy: 


HOME   CAMPS   AND   AMERICAN   WATERS.  395 

War  Department, 

Washington, y««(?  <5,  /Sg8. 
C1.ARA  Barton, 

President  0/ the  yhnencan  National  Red  Cross,  Washington,  D.  C.:. 
The  tender  of  the  services  of  the  American  National  Red  Cross,  made  to  this 
department  through  the  Department  of  State  under  date  of  Alay  25,  1S98,  for 
medical  and  hospital  work  as  auxiliary  to  the  hospital  service  of  the  Army  of  the 
United  States,  is  accepted;  all  representatives  and  employes  of  said  organization  to 
be  subject  to  orders  according  to  the  rules  and  discipline  of  war,  as  provided  by 
the  63d  Article  of  War. 

Very  respectfully, 

R.  A.  Alger, 

Secretary  of  War. 


Navy  Department, 

Washington,  June  6,  iSg8. 
CtARA  Barton, 

President  of  the  Auierica7i  National  Red  Cross,  Washington,  D.  C: 
The  tender  of  the  services  of  the  American  National  Red  Cross,  made  to  this 
department  through  the  Department  of  State  under  date  of  IMay  25,  1S9S,  for 
medical  and  hospital  work  as  auxiliary  to  the  hospital  service  of  the  navy  of  the 
United  Slates,  is  accepted;  all  representatives  and  employes  of  said  organization 
to  be  subject  to  orders  according  to  the  rules  and  discipline  of  war. 

Very  respectfully, 

Chas.  H.  Allen, 
Acting  Secretary. 


In  the  meantime,  war  was  officially  proclaimed,  and  the  President 
had  issued  his  call  for  volunteers.  As  the  troops  responded  to  the  call, 
they  were  assembled  in  camps  in  various  sections  of  the  country, 
principally  in  Washington,  Chickamauga  Park,  Georgia,  Jacksonville, 
Tampa  and  Port  Tampa  in  Florida.  Soon  after  the  formation  of  the 
camps  it  became  evident  that  the  auxiliary  service  of  the  Red  Cross 
would  be  necessary  in  caring  for  the  men,  and  a  formal  tender  of  such 
ser\'ice  was  made  to  the  government  by  Mr.  George  Kennan,  first  vice- 
president  of  the  American  National  Red  Cross,  to  which  the  following 
reply  was  received: 

War  Department, 
Junes,  1S98. 
Dear  Sir:  I  have,  by  your  reference,  the  letter  of  this  date  from  Mr.  George 
Kennan,  of  the  American  National  Red  Cross,  aud  see  no  objection  whatsoever  to 
their  establishing  a  station  in  every  military'  camp  for  the  purjKJse  indicated  in 


396  THIC    RKD    CROSS. 

their  letter.     Instructions  have  been  issued  by  me  to-day  to  the  surgeon  general, 
who  will  communicate  this  information  to  the  chief  surgeons  of  the  camps. 

Very  truly  yours, 

R.  A.  Alger, 
Hon.  John  Addison  Porter,  Secretary  of  War. 

Secreiaiy  to  the  President. 


Acting  upon  this  acceptance,  the  executive  committee,  of  which 
Mr.  Stephen  E.  Barton  was  the  chairman,  appointed  and  sent  to  each 
camp  an  agent,  to  represent  the  Red  Cross  in  the  field.  These  repre- 
sentatives were  instructed  to  report  to  the  respective  medical  officers 
of  the  army  in  charge,  to  make,  personally,  a  formal  tender  of  assist- 
ance, and  to  ascertain  if  the  Red  Cross  could  be  of  service,  by  furnish- 
ing quickly  any  medical  and  hospital  supplies  of  which  the  camps 
might  be  in  need. 

It  is  perhaps  proper  to  state  here,  as  a  matter  of  histor^s  that 
while  these  field  agents  were  always  most  courteously  received,  in 
many  instances  the  auxiliary  services  of  the  Red  Cross  were  not  at  first 
welcomed  by  the  medical  officers  of  the  array.  Indeed  it  often  hap- 
pened that  the  assistance,  of  which  the  hospital  service  of  the  army 
was  apparently  in  need,  was  not  accepted  until  after  its  efficiency  was 
seriously  diminished  by  reason  of  delay. 

The  reluctance  to  permit  the  people,  through  the  Red  Cross,  to 
assist  in  ministering  to  the  comforts  of  the  men,  did  \vA  generallj^  seem 
to  arise  from  personal  objection  on  the  part  of  the  medical  officers  at 
the  camps,  but  from  an  apparent  fear,  whether  well  founded  or  not, 
that  immediate  acceptance  of  assistance  would  result  in  official  censure 
ind    disapproval. 


CAMP  ALGER.  397 


CAMP  ALGER. 

Among  the  first  of  the  Red  Cross  field  agents  appointed  was  Mr. 
B.  H.  Warner,  of  Washington,  to  whose  special  charge  was  assigned 
the  field  known  as  "  Camp  Alger."  Mr.  Warner  makes  the  following 
report  of  the  work  done  by  himself  and  the  committee  of  which  he  was 
chairman : 

On  Jnne  lo,  1898,  I  was  notified  by  letter  of  George  Kennan,  Esq., 
first  vice-president  of  American  National  Red  Cross,  that  I  had  been 
appointed  as  its  representative,  at  Camp  Alger,  Virginia,  and  was  re- 
quested to  report  to  Chief  Surgeon  Girard,  regarding  the  establishment 
of  a  station  at  that  camp;  to  ascertain  if  anything  in  the  form  of  hos- 
pital supplies  were  needed,  and  to  advise  the  Executive  Committee. 

It  was  suggested  that,  as  the  work  to  be  established  at  Camp 
Alger  was  the  first  step  of  the  Red  Cross  in  the  field  in  connection  with 
the  Spanish  war,  that  prudence  and  tact  should  be  used  in  maintaining 
friendly  and  harmonious  relations  with  the  military  authorities,  espe- 
cially with  the  surgeons. 

In  accordance  with  my  appointment,  I  visited  the  War  Depart- 
ment, and  obtained  a  special  letter  of  introduction  from  Secretary  Alger 
to  Major-General  Graham,  commanding  at  Fort  Alger,  asking  him  to 
give  me  every  facility  possible  in  connection  with  the  work  to  be  under- 
taken. General  Graham  introduced  me  to  Colonel  Girard,  with  whom 
I  had  a  long  conference,  the  result  of  which  was  the  establishment  of 
headquarters  of  the  Red  Cross  in  the  camp,  and  the  settlement  of  some 
details  as  to  work  which  was  to  be  done  in  accordance  with  the  advice 
and  authority  of  the  surgeon  in  charge. 

I  found  Colonel  Girard  exceedingly  busy,  and  apparently  very 
sanguine  as  to  the  ability  of  the  government  to  meet  all  demands  that 
might  be  made  by  every  department  of  the  army.  He  seemed,  how- 
ever, willing  that  the  Red  Cross  should  furnish  extra  comforts  for  the 
men  at  the  camp.  I  was  impressed  with  the  fact  that  he  considered 
men  who  had  received  a  regular  army  education  thoroughly  competent 
to  meet  the  situation,  and  that  all  supplies  could  be  had  as  soon  as 
needed;  that  he  did  not  want  too  many  comforts  for  sick  men,  so  as  to 
unfit  them  for  the  hardships  of  war  when  they  should  go  nearer  to  the 
scene  of  active  operations. 


398  THE    RED    CROSS. 

On  the  twenty-first  of  June,  in  accordance  with  a  call  issued  by 
me,  quite  a  large  number  of  citizens  met  at  the  Arlington  Hotel,  and  I 
was  fonnally  elected  chairman  of  an  executive  committee,  Mrs,  J. 
Ellen  Foster,  vice-chairman;  C.  J.  Bell,  treasurer,  George  C.  Lewis, 
secretary.  Power  was  given  to  add  to  this  committee  which,  as  finally 
constituted,  consisted  of  the  following  named  persons:  E.  H.  Warner, 
Simon  Wolf,  William  F.  Mattingly,  Mrs.  J.  Ellen  Foster,  Mrs.  Thomas 
Calver,  president  of  the  Legion  of  Loyal  Women;  Mrs.  James  Tanner, 
national  president  of  the  Ladies'  Union  Veteran  Legion;  Mrs.  Sarah 
A.  Spencer,  Mrs.  J.  A.  T.  Hull,  wife  of  Representative  Hull,  Mrs. 
Ellen  S.  Mussey,  one  of  the  counsel  to  the  Red  Cro.ss,  and  Mrs.  M.  M. 
North. 

Quite  a  number  of  prominent  citizens  were  present  at  the  first 
meeting,  including  Rev.  T.  S.  Hamlin,  D.  D.,  and  Rev.  Byron  Sun- 
derland, D.  D. 

Mrs.  Spencer  was  compelled  by  other  engagements  to  retire  from 
the  work  of  the  Executive  Committee  early  in  its  history,  but  still 
remains  as  a  member  of  the  General  Committee.  I  want  to  say  for 
the  ladies,  who  served  on  the  Executive  Committee,  that  I  never  saw 
more  devoted,  energetic  and  efficient  service  on  any  committee  or  under 
any  conditions  with  which  I  have  been  familiar,  than  that  rendered  by 
them.  They  were  all  constantly  active,  both  at  Camp  Alger „  Fort 
Myer,  and  all  along  the  line,  at  all  hours,  day  and  night,  whenever 
and  wherever  their  presence  was  required.  They  were  exceptionally 
competent  to  direct,  possessed  of  a  high  order  of  ability  and  intelligence, 
and  deserve,  not  only  the  thanks  of  the  national  organization,  but  also 
of  all  who  are  friendly  to  the  thousands  of  soldiers  who  were  benefited 
by  their  administration.  The  Executive  Committee  met  every  Tuesday 
and  more  frequently  when  required. 

Mrs.  J.  Ellen  Foster  began  service  at  the  connnencement  of  war, 
and  was  very  active  in  and  around  Washington  in  camp,  hospital,  and 
the  railway  relief  work.  She  also  visited  Camp  WikofF,  Camp  Black, 
Camp  McPherson,  Camp  Thomas,  Chickamauga,  camp  at  Huntsville, 
Ala.,  and  the  hospitals  in  New  York  and  Boston,  where  sick  soldiers 
were  quartered.  Her  experience  gave  her  opportunities  of  suggesting 
improvement  in  many  departments  of  work,  and  the  administration 
of  relief,  not  only  by  the  Red  Cross,  but  by  other  organizations  as 
well. 

Captain  George  C.  Lewis,  on  the  twenty-first  of  June,  was  elected 
secretary  of  the  committee.     He  had  been  an  officer  in  the  Civil  War, 


CAMP    ALGER.  399 

and  had  large  experience  among  soldiers,  both  in  camp  and  hospital. 
His  first  visit  to  Camp  Alger  was  made  on  that  date,  and  from  that 
time,  until  the  camp  was  discontinued,  he  was  constantly  on  duty  there, 
seeing  that  supplies  were  furnished,  and  all  possible  relief  extended. 
His  headquarters  were  in  a  large  hospital  tent,  from  which  the  flag  of 
the  Red  Cross  was  flying.  The  principal  office  of  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee being  in  Washington,  at  No.  1310  G  street,  which  was  tendered 
free  of  charge  by  Dr.  and  Mrs.  J.  Ford  Thompson,  and  which  the 
committee  has  retained  much  longer  than  originally  anticipated. 

Experienced  nurses  seemed  to  be  needed  at  Camp  Alger.  Patients 
were  not  receiving  the  necessary  care  and  attention.  The  committee 
supplied  mattresses,  sheets,  pillows  and  slips,  mosquito  bars,  lemons, 
and  a  large  quantity  of  medicine,  pajamas,  underclothing,  night-shirts, 
handkerchiefs,  groceries,  delicacies,  etc. 

The  surgeons  at  the  hospitals  were  timid  about  asking  the  govern- 
ment for  supplies.  As  stated,  the  surgeon-in -chief  at  Camp  Alger 
seemed  to  think  that  the  soldiers  who  were  taken  sick  should  be  treated 
in  such  a  manner  as  would  inure  them  to  the  hardships  of  camp,  and 
the  life  of  a  soldier.  When  spoken  to  on  this  subject  he  said,  "  These 
men  must  understand  that  war  is  not  play."  One  of  the  assistant 
surgeons  said,  "It  is  much  easier  to  ask  the  Red  Cross  for  supplies, 
and  they  can  be  obtained  sooner  than  by  asking  the  government,  as 
there  is  so  much  red  tape  and  it  takes  so  long  to  get  ev^y thing." 
When  the  kitchens  at  Camp  Alger  were  inspected  the  food  did  not 
appear  to  be  of  the  right  kind,  and  was  not  properly  cooked.  Point 
Sheridan,  Va.,  was  visited  by  Mrs.  Mussey  on  July  29,  and  sixteen 
men  were  found  sick.  They  seemed  to  be  suffering  for  supplies, 
especially  medicine,  which  had  been  ordered  on  June  27,  but  had  not 
been  received.  The  Red  Cross  delivered  them  proper  medicine  within 
twenty-four  hours.  It  was  found  that  each  camp  hospital  must  have  its 
regular  visitors,  and  different  members  of  the  committee  were 
appointed.  Articles  needed  were  supplied  from  headquarters  in 
Washington,  and  large  shipments  were  also  sent  direct  from  New  York 
to  various  points.  On  several  occasions  underclothing  and  pajamas 
were  supplied  by  the  hundred  within  twenty-four  hours. 

Early  in  August,  the  Washington  Barracks  were  made  a  post 
hospital,  and  the  Red  Cross  aid  was  gladly  accepted  by  Major  Adair, 
surgeon  in  charge.  For  a  long  time  our  committee  supplied  this  point 
with  800  pounds  of  ice,  5  gallons  of  chicken  soup,  30  gallons  of  milk, 
20  pounds  of  butter  daily,  as  well  as  2  crates  of  eggs  weekly.     We  also 


400  THE  RED  CROSS. 

furnished  1200  suits  of  underwear,  several  hundred  suits  of  pajamas, 
500  towels,  several  hundred  pairs  of  slippers,  socks  and  medicines,  anti- 
sejitic  dressing's,  and  numerous  small  articles.  The  work  at  this  point 
was  closed  up  October  8,  with  expressions  of  mutual  satisfaction. 

The  Secretary  of  War  gave  autliority  for  the  establishment  of  di'^* 
kitchens  in  the  camps  near  Washington,  and  Mrs.  Mussey,  who  had 
taken  a  special  interest  in  this  work  from  the  beginning,  was  given 
general  charge  of  the  establishment  of  the  kitchens. 

A  diet  kitchen  was  established  at  Camp  Bristow,  and  two  competent 
male  colored  cooks  placed  in  charge.  Major  Weaver,  the  chief  sur- 
geon, and  his  staff  of  five  surgeons,  were  both  devoted  and  competent 
in  their  service,  and  the  sick  soldiers  were  loud  in  their  praise. 

We  found  it  was  unnecessarj^  to  establish  one  at  the  hospital  at 
the  Washington  Barracks  as  arrangements  there  w^ere  so  good,  and  it 
only  seemed  necessary  to  furnish  fresh  .soups  daily,  and  the  committee 
made  a  contract  for  five  gallons  per  day  at  cost  for  material  only. 

The  committee  authorized  Mrs.  E.  S.  Mussey  and  Mrs.  J.  A.  T. 
Hull  to  establish  a  diet  kitchen  at  Fort  Myer.  Major  Davis,  surgeon 
in  charge,  yielded  his  owm  wishes  to  the  Secretary  of  War.  As  no 
building  was  furnished,  the  committee  made  a  contract  for  one  of  a 
temporary  character,  which  was  put  up  at  a  cost,  when  completed  with 
range,  plumbing,  etc.,  of  about  $350.00.  Dr.  Mary  E.  Green,  presi- 
dent of  the  National  Household  Economical  Association,  was  secured 
as  superintendent,  and  in  not  more  than  ten  days  from  the  time  of  its 
commencement  the  building  was  completed,  furnished  and  orders  being 
filled.  It  has  been  a  great  assistance,  not  only  in  furnishing  properly 
cooked  food,  but  invaluable  as  an  object  lesson  in  neatness  and  skilled 
cooking. 

The  government  has  voluntarily  paid  all  the  bills  for  meat, 
chickens  and  milk,  leaving  the  committee  to  pay  for  groceries,  and 
wages  of  employes.  Dr.  Green  has  rendered  such  efficient  service 
that  she  has  been  employed  by  the  government  to  establish  diet 
kitchens  at  other  points. 

At  Fort  Myer  nearly  four  hundred  patients  were  suffering  with 
typhoid  and  no  provision  existed  for  preparing  a  special  diet.  Canned 
soup  was  heated  up  and  served  to  those  just  leaving  a  strictly  milk 
diet,  and  the  so-called  chicken  broth,  which  was  served  wholly  unsatis- 
factorily to  both  physicians  and  nurses.  When  the  diet  kitchen  was 
completed,  beef,  mutton  and  chicken  broth,  made  fresh  daily  in  the 
manner  best  calculated  to  bring  out  the  nutritive  value  of  the  meat, 


CAMP   ALGER.  4ot 

were  prepared.  Mutton  broth  was  made  from  hind  r|ua'-ters  only,  and 
beef  broth  from  soHd  meat,  with  no  waste.  Albumen,  so  necessary  to 
repair  the  waste  of  the  system  by  fevers,  was  supplied  in  the  palatable 
form  of  rich  custards,  as  ice  cream  and  blanc  mange  —  gelatine  madf 
into  jellies  with  port  and  sherry  wines  —  and  albumen  jelly,  all  nour- 
ishing to  the  irritated  linings. 

During  the  month  of  September  from  the  seventh  instant,  55r. 
ordens,  averaging  fifteen  portions  each,  or  8250  portions,  were  filled  in 
the  diet  kitchen.  Physicians,  nurses  and  patients  unite  in  saying  the 
aid  they  secured  from  this  work  is  of  inestimable  value,  not  only  in 
saving  lives,  but  in  hastening  the  recover}'  of  all.  Major  Davis,  as 
the  surgeon  in  charge,  has  expressed  his  high  appreciation  of  the  good 
results  obtained  by  establishing  the  kitchen,  and  the  methods  pursued 
in  conducting  it. 

In  response  to  suggestions  from  the  general  committee  in  New 
York,  a  special  committee  was  sent  to  Fortress  Monroe  to  meet  the  first 
wounded,  who  came  up  from  the  battlefields  of  El  Caney,  San  Juan 
and  Guasimas.  The  surgeon  in  charge,  Dr.  DeWitt,  stated  their 
immediate  needs,  and  supplies  were  sent  one  day  after  they  were  called 
for,  consisting  in  part  of  500  pairs  of  pajamas,  twenty-five  pairs  of 
crutches,  200  pairs  of  slippers,  350  yards  of  rubber  sheeting,  large 
quantities  of  antiseptic  dressings,  five  dozen  gallons  of  whiskey  and 
brandy,  200  cans  of  soup,  granite-ware  basins,  pitchers,  dishes,  etc. 

Several  other  visits  were  made  to  this  point,  resulting  in  the 
employment  of  additional  trained  nurses,  with  proper  provision  for 
their  maintenance.  Arrangements  were  also  made  on  behalf  of  the 
general  committee  for  supplying  ice  for  the  use  of  troops  on  board  the 
transports  going  south,  and  also  for  the  sick  on  their  journey  north- 
ward. Mr.  Bickford  was  afterward  designated  to  take  charge  of  the 
work  of  the  Red  Cross  at  this  point,  so  further  work  on  the  part  of  our 
committee  was  unnecessar3^ 

The  branch  of  the  work,  which  has  been  really  one  of  the  most 
difficult  to  conduct,  was  the  looking  after  soldiers,  who  passed  through 
the  city  mostly  from  Southern  to  Northern  camps,  and  those  who  were 
going  home.  There  was  such  a  general  demand  on  the  part  of  the  men 
for  coffee,  bread  and  other  supplies,  and  it  was  so  hard  to  limit  our 
service  to  the  sick  .soldiers  alone,  that  we  soon  determined  to  feed  not 
only  the  convalescent,  but  all  who  were  hungry.  vSoldiers  from  the 
following  organizations  were  fed  and  supplied,  the  well  men  receiving 
bread  and  butter  sandwiches: 


402  THE   RED    CROSS. 

Parts  of  the  5th  and  6th  Artillery,  25th  Infantry,  two  troops  of 
ist  Cavalry,  12th,  i6th  and  17th  Infantry,  portions  of  the  8th,  9th  and 
loth  Cavalry,  all  United  States  troops,  and  the  following  volunteer 
forces:  22d  Kansas,  3d  and  4th  Missouri,  ist  Maine,  2d  Teiniessee, 
7th  Illinois,  ist,  8th,  9th,  12th,  13th,  15th  and  17th  Pennsylvania, 
ist  Connecticut,  5th  Maryland,  2d,  3d,  8th,  9th,  14th  and  65th  New 
York,  ist  and  2d  New  Jersey,  two  brigades  of  United  States  Signal 
Corps,  and  detachments  from  a  number  of  other  regiments,  in  all  about 
40,000  men. 

Very  frequently  the  committee  furnished  handkerchiefs  and  soap, 
as  well  as  reading  matter.  The  sick  were  given  soup  and  milk  packed 
in  ice,  fruit,  medicines,  etc.  Forty-five  were  removed  from  the  trains 
and  taken  to  the  hospitals  in  Washington.  We  used,  in  this  connec- 
tion, not  only  the  services  of  trained  nurses  in  the  employ  of  the  Red 
Cross,  but  Dr.  Bayne  was  detailed  by  the  War  Department,  and 
rendered  most  efficient  service,  as  he  was  always  ready  and  willing  to 
do  everything  in  his  power,  day  or  night,  for  the  relief  of  the  sick. 

The  War  Department  ordered  for  the  use  of  the  committee  the 
erection  of  two  tents  in  close  proximity  to  our  rooms,  which  were  at 
915  Maryland  Avenue.  One  of  these  tents  was  filled  with  fully 
equipped  cots,  on  which  the  invalids  were  placed  while  waiting  the 
arrival  of  ambulances,  and  the  other  was  used  as  a  general  depot  for 
supplies.  The  War  Department  paid  for  the  bread  we  used  in  this 
work,  and,  also,  for  4346  loaves  furnished  to  the  Pension  Office  Relief 
Committee,  which  was  engaged  in  the  same  kind  of  work.  Many 
donations  of  food  and  material  were  received,  and  as  stated,  nearly 
forty  thousand  men  were  fed,  and  how  some  of  them  did  eat  not  only 
as  if  they  were  making  up  for  the  fasts  of  the  past,  but  for  any  which 
might  occur  in  the  future. 

Mrs.  James  Tanner  had  charge  of  this  work,  which  was  very 
exacting,  and  she  had  been  appointed  a  committee  to  secure  reading 
matter  for  the  different  camps,  before  the  Red  Cross  Committee  was 
organized,  and  collected  several  wagon  loads  of  books,  magazines,  and 
other  periodicals,  which  were  sent  to  Camp  Alger,  Fort  Myer,  Point 
Sheridan,  Fort  Washington,  Chickamauga,  Tampa  and  Santiago. 
Distribution  of  this  reading  matter  was  also  made  at  the  Red  Cross 
quarters  at  915  Maryland  Avenue  and  handed  to  the  soldiers  who  passed 
through  the  cit}'  on  trains. 

All  bills  for  ice  furnished  to  Point  Sheridan,  Va.,  Washington 
Barracks,  and  to  the  Diet  Kitchen  at  Fort  Myer  have  been  paid  l)y  the 


CAMP   ALGER.  403 

Red  Cross  Ice  Plant  Auxiliary  of  New  York,  which  also  furnished  the 
large  ice  chests  for  the  latter  point. 

The  Legion  of  Loyal  Women,  of  which  Mrs.  Thomas  W.  Calver, 
a  member  of  our  committee,  was  president,  acted  as  an  auxiliary  for 
the  Red  Cross  Committee,  and  made  a  large  number  of  mosquito  nets, 
flannel  bandages,  wash  cloths,  and  pajamas.  Besides  this,  the}'  col- 
lected many  supplies,  consisting  of  boxes  of  oranges,  lemons,  tea, 
coffee,  jelly,  condensed  milk,  crackers,  yeast  powder,  cocoa,  stamps, 
writing  paper,  tobacco,  fruit,  soap,  socks,  handkerchiefs,  towels,  night- 
sliirts,  underclothes,  pajamas,  quinine  and  other  medicine,  which  were 
sent  to  the  various  camps. 

Generous  donations  of  clothing,  jellies,  cordials  and  mone}'  were 
also  received  from  various  auxiliaries  of  the  ladies'  of  the  Union 
Veteran  Legion. 

The  Red  Cross  Committee  assisted  in  the  establishment  of  a  tem- 
porary home  in  this  city  for  the  returning  volunteers.  The  existence 
of  this  home  was  limited  to  two  months.  The  time  will  expire  Novem- 
ber 10,  when  it  will  be  broken  up.  It  has  cared  for  a  daily  average 
of  sixty  soldiers.  The  Red  Cross  assisted  by  furnishing  cots  and 
furniture.  Mrs.  Calver,  of  our  committee,  is  in  charge,  and  it  is  con- 
ducted without  expense  to  the  Red  Cross. 

The  total  amount  expended  in  the  Railway  Relief  work,  in  feeding 
men  as  they  passed  through  the  city,  was  $2637.13. 

Arrangements  were  also  made  after  this  work  closed  to  look  after 
all  the  sick  soldiers,  who  came  in  at  the  several  railroad  stations. 

The  treasurer,  C.  J.  Bell,  will  transmit  a  full  report,  with  vouch- 
ers for  all  expenditures  which  have  been  up  to  this  date,  $7560,  and 
with  outstanding  bills  amounting  to  about  $1000  more. 

A  large  number  of  ladies  rendered  excellent  service  in  making 
sheets,  pillow-cases,  mosquito  nets,  pajamas,  bandages  and  articles  too 
numerous  to  mention.  Manj'  volunteer  nurses  were  anxious  to  go 
where  they  could  render  .servnce  to  the  sick  and  wounded. 

It  is  gratifying  to  be  able  to  state  that  whatever  view  the  surgeons 
and  other  officers  may  have  had  as  to  the  need  of  the  Red  Cross  at  the 
beginning  of  the  war,  at  the  close  they  joined  with  the  private  soldiers 
in  testifying  to  its  wonderful  and  efficient  work. 

Among  the  principal  donations  were  those  from  the  Lutheran 
Church  Society,  Hagerstown,  Md.,  consisting  of  50  pajamas.  50  suits 
of  underclothing,  50  nightshirts,  40  .sheets,  250  pairsof  .socks,  100 
towels,  200  haudker^hicfs,  75  rolls  of  bandages,  dclicacic:;  and  sundry 


404  THE   RED   CROSS. 

articles.  There  were  also  daily  contributions  of  different  supplies, 
demonstrating  the  general  interest  taken  in  our  work. 

There  were  distributed  by  this  committee,  in  part,  800  sheets,  500 
pillow-cases,  800  suits  of  pajamas,  1500  suits  of  underclothing,  1600 
abdominal  bandages,  800  pairs  of  socks,  750  nightshirts,  350  mosquito 
bars,  100  rubber  sheets,  400  pairs  of  slippers,  2000  palm  leaf  fans,  75 
large  boxes  of  soap,  150  cots,  250  mattresses,  100  pairs  of  blankets, 
275  pillows,  $1000  worth  of  groceries,  $300  malted  milk,  $850 
soups  and  bouillons,  $725  medicines  and  surgical  supplies,  $250  wines 
and  liquors,  and  $1050  milk,  a  great  variety  and  quantity  of  smaller 
articles  and  supplies. 

The  following  supplies  were  received  from  the  general  New  York 
Committee:  50  boxes  of  ivory  soap,  50  rubber  sheets,  400  suits  of  under- 
wear, 250  sheets,  250  pillow-cases,  250  nightshirts,  200  pairs  of  slippers, 
50osuitsof  pajamas,  $200  worth  of  malted  milk,  beef  extract  and  Mellin's 
food,  ^700  worth  of  canned  soups  and  bouillons  and  $6000  cash. 

In  closing,  permit  me  to  thank  Vice-President  Barton  and  the 
Executive  Committee  for  prompt  and  liberal  responses  to  ever}'  request 
made  for  aid  of  any  character,  and  for  immediately  recognizing  the  fact 
that  the  committee  at  this  point  had  a  work  placed  upon  it  very  exten- 
sive and  unique  in  character,  and  requiring  a  large  outlay  of  money  and 
service. 

I  desire  to  call  to  your  special  attention  the  great  service  ren- 
dered by  Mrs.  E.  S.  Mussey,  who,  during  the  absence  of  Mrs.  Foster 
and  myself  from  the  city,  acted  as  chairman  of  the  committee,  and  for 
two  months  gave  nearly  all  of  her  time  to  its  service,  visiting  different 
camps  and  hospitals,  and  in  the  work  devolving  upon  her  she  was 
untiring  and  unusually  efficient. 

Much  complaint  has  been  made  as  to  the  location  of  Camp  Alger, 
because  of  the  prevalence  of  typhoid  and  malarial  fever,  and  the  absence 
of  water  supply  both  for  drinking  and  bathing  purposes.  A  personal 
knowledge  of  this  section  of  Virginia,  extending  over  many  years, 
enables  me  to  state  that  it  has  been  regarded  as  unusually  healthy,  and 
a  most  desirable  section  for  homes,  the  growth  and  development  of 
which  would  have  been  very  rapid  had  there  been  an  additional  bridge 
giving  greater  facilities  for  crossing  the  Potomac.  The  water  there 
has  been  considered  pure  and  healthy,  and  used  by  many  families  with- 
out bad  results. 

Falls  Church,  near  this  camp,  has  been  regarded  as  one  of  the 
healthiest  and  most  desirable  suburbs  of  the  National  Capital.     The 


CAMP   ALGRR.  405 

topography  of  the  ground  and  the  presence  of  a  large  amount  of  shade 
were  very  suitable  for  the  purposes  of  camp  life.  It  was,  however, 
evident,  even  to  the  inexperienced  eye  of  a  layman,  that  good,  practical 
daily  scavenger  service  aided  by  the  effective  use  of  disinfectants  was 
sadly  needed  both  for  the  comfort  and  health  of  the  men;  that  the 
presence  of  numerous  booths,  stands  and  peddlers  engaged  in  selling 
soft  drinks,  fruits,  cakes,  candy,  etc.,  tended  to  further  demoralize  the 
already  interrupted  digestion  of  the  soldiers.  No  matter  what  the 
general  orders  were  they  could  not  be  made  effective  without  the 
earnest  and  intelligent  co-operation  of  regimental  officers  and  soldiers. 
Could  this  be  secured  within  two  or  three  months  from  men  not 
experienced  in  war?  A  feeling  of  individual  responsibility  appeared 
to  be  lacking.  One  of  the  most  useful  officers  who  can  be  detailed  for 
camp  duty  is  an  inspector,  one  who  will  not  only  inspect  daily,  but 
insist  that  the  men  take  care  of  themselves,  and  co-operate  to  prevent 
disease,  especiallj'  in  keeping  the  camp  in  proper  sanitary  condition  by 
constant  attention  to  sinks  and  the  water  supply. 

The  Red  Cross  entered  upon  its  great  work  at  the  beginning  of  the 
war  under  many  difficulties.  Instead  of  being  aided  and  encouraged  in 
an  undertaking  that  comprehended  the  generous  spirit  of  the  nation,  its 
mission  was  oftimes  interrupted  and  hindered  by  officers  of  prominence 
and  rank.  It  is  proper  to  say,  however,  that  the  President  and 
Secretary  of  War  were  at  all  times  deeply  interested  in  our  work,  and 
did  all  in  their  power  to  expedite  our  plans.  There  appeared  to  be  a 
jealous  apprehension  in  some  quarters  that  the  Red  Cross  would 
interfere  with  established  institutions.  What  it  has  accomplished  is  a 
matter  of  history,  dail}'  recorded  in  the  public  press,  it  has  not  been 
aggressive,  nor  has  it  dominated  any  legitimate  authority.  It  has 
sought  to  be  the  servant  and  not  the  master.  As  one  general  partic- 
ularly friendly  to  the  organization  remarked,  "the  Red  Cross  has  not 
been  the  foe,  but  the  friend  of  every  one,  even  of  red  tape." 

If  we  had  anj^  criticism  to  make  it  would  be  in  favor  of  more 
practical  common  sense  dealing  with  all  matters  especially  those  per- 
taining to  the  camp  and  hospital,  and  of  the  necessity  of  fixing 
individual  responsibility  so  as  to  be  certain  of  results  as  well  as  orders. 

Many  high-minded  and  patriotic  officers  have  been  blamed  where 
they  ought  to  have  been  praised;  one  distinguished  professional  man 
dying  from  the  effects  of  undeserved  fault  finding. 

If  another  war  should  ever  come  to  us  as  a  nation,  we  trust  the 
lessons  of  that  which  has  just  closed  will  not  be  forgotten.     Many  of 


4o6  THIC    RI'l)    CROSS. 

the  very  best  and  most  conscientious  surgeons  are  not  business  men. 
Men  who  have  not  had  business  experience  in  time  of  peace  cannot  be 
expected  to  learn  at  once  new  methods  in  time  of  war  so  as  to  perfect 
or  harmonize  a  great  s^-steni.  Should  not  the  executive  officer  in  every 
large  hospital  be  selected  somewhat  with  reference  to  his  business 
capacity  ?  Good  surgeons  and  physicians  have  enough  to  occupy 
them  in  attending  to  their  professional  duties.  They  had  too  much  to 
attend  to  in  most  instances  during  the  Spanish  war,  and  the  number  of 
deaths  in  comparison  to  the  number  of  sick  and  wounded  has  been 
surprisingly  small. 

I  want  to  place  upon  record  the  generous  kindness  of  Dr.  and 
Mrs.  J.  Ford  Thompson  in  tendering  to  the  committee  the  use  of  house 
No.  1310  G  Street  for  headquarters;  W.  B.  Moses  &  Sons  for  furni- 
ture loaned  for  our  use;  Springman  &  Sons  for  free  transportation  of 
goods;  to  the  railroads  for  reduction  of  fare;  to  the  Falls  Church  Elec- 
tric Railroad,  and  Washington  and  Norfolk  Steamship  Company  for 
free  transportation;  to  the  Chesapeake  and  Potomac  Telephone  Com- 
pany for  telephone,  and  to  all  who  generously  worked  and  contributed 
for  the  success  of  the  committee. 

The  army  and  navy  embodied  the  power  of  the  government  in  the 
Spanish  war,  but  the  Red  Cross  in  a  large  degree  represented  the 
affectionate  regard  of  the  American  people,  for  those  who  went  out  to 
defend  the  flag  of  the  Union,  and  their  great  desire  to  mitigate  in 
every  possible  way  the  sufferings  resulting  from  exposure,  disease  and 
conflict,  as  well  as  to  relieve  distress  wherever  it  existed. 

Courage  and  charity  go  hand  in  hand,  and  when  the  smoke  of 
battle  has  rolled  away,  and  the  tattoo  and  reveille  are  memories  of  the 
past;  when  the  white  tents  of  the  camps  are  folded;  the  equipment 
of  war  is  exchanged  for  the  implements  of  peace  the  appreciation  of  the 
citizen  soldier  for  the  Red  Cross  will  grow  in  volume  as  he  sits  by  his 
fireside  and  tells  how  its  ministries  gave  relief  and  aid  to  his  comrades 
and  himself  in  the  camp,  the  hospital,  at  Siboney,  Santiago,  Porto 
Rico  and  elsewhere,  and  how  it  extended  succor  even  to  his  enemies 
when  the  conflict  ceased. 

The  Red  Cross  of  peace  will  outlive  the  Red  Flag  of  war,  even  as 
charity  shall  survive  the  force  of  arms.  Let  us  hope  that  the  former 
ensign  may  soon  float  by  the  side  of  the  flags  of  all  the  nations  and 
peoples  of  the  world,  as  an  evidence  of  the  advance  of  civilization,  and 
the  universal  desire  that  there  be  no  more  war;  that  men  everj^where 
are  ready  to  extend  a  helping  hand  to  all  who  suffer  from  disaster  or 


CAMP    ALGKR. 


407 


disease.      When  this  glad  day  comes  war  will  be  no  more.     Arbitration 
will  be  the  supreme  power. 

And  may  I  say,  in  closing,  that  no  one  during  the  past  quarter  of  a 
centur}-  has  in  a  larger  degree  aided  in  the  cultivation  of  peace  and 
good  will  among  men  and  the  promotion  of  a  spirit  of  fraternity  among 
the  peoples  of  the  earth  than  the  president  of  the  American  National 
Red  Cross,  who,  during  the  Spanish  war,  has  rendered  such  valuable 
and  indefatigable  service  in  the  cause  of  humanity. 


— -^--~-~-.i>.. 


i^^^s-^^i^. : 


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; 

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'*A 

i^'A'^ 

ON  S.\N  JUAN  HILI.,    SANTIAGO. 


4o8  THE   RED    CROSS. 


CAMP  THOMAS. 

The  agent  first  appointed  for  Chickaniauga  Park,  was  Dr.  Charles 
R.  Gill.  Shortly  afterwards,  however.  Dr.  Gill  expressed  a  desire  to 
go  to  Cuba,  and  he  was  relieved,  Mr.  E.  C.  Smith  being  placed  in 
charge  of  this  field,  which  proved  eventually  to  be  one  of  the  most 
important  stations  of  the  Red  Cross.  As  the  demands  of  the  camp 
increased,  Mr.  A.  M.  Smith  was  sent  to  assist  his  brother  in  the  work. 
Their  services  have  been  eminently  satisfactory  to  all  concerned,  and 
many  voluntary  expressions  of  appreciation  have  been  received.  All 
requisitions  for  assistance  were  promptly  filled  by  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee in  New  York,  and  in  addition  to  the  large  amount  of  supplies 
sent,  about  $16,000  in  cash  were  expended  at  the  camp.  Mr.  Smith, 
in  his  report  on  the  work  done  at  this  camp,  says: 

The  headquarters  of  the  American  National  Red  Cross,  at  Camp 
Thomas,  Chickaniauga  Park,  Ga.,  was  located  alongside  the  historic 
Brotherton  House,  which  was  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight  in  1863.  No 
array  of  mere  numerals  written  to  express  dollars,  or  tables  of  figures 
standing  for  quantities,  could  in  comprehensive  sense  tell  the  story  of 
Red  Cross  work  at  Chickaniauga,  in  1898.  The  record  is  written 
indelibly  in  the  hearts  of  thousands  of  soldiers  who  were  stricken  with 
disease  on  this  battlefield,  and  the  story  has  been  told  at  quiet  home 
firesides  in  every  State  of  the  Union. 

All  those  who  have  labored  in  the  work  of  mercy  have  been  repaid 
a  thousandfold  in  words  of  thankfulness  and  appreciation  from  fevered 
lips,  and  the  praise  of  Christian  men  and  women  throughout  the 
country.  In  answer  to  the  petitions  of  anxious  wives,  mothers  and 
fathers,  and  the  tender  prayers  of  prattling  infants,  God  put  strength 
in  the  arms  of  the  noble  women  who  wore  the  badge  of  the  Red  Cross, 
and  made  them  heroic  in  an  hour  of  great  trial. 

It  has  been  testified  by  the  gallant  survivors  of  Santiago,  and  other 
sanguinary  engagements,  that  the  chief  terror  was  carried  to  the  hearts 
of  our  gallant  men  through  the  awful  silence  of  the  enemy's  bullets, 
and  the  rayster}-  which  enshrouded  their  position  because  of  the  use  of 
smokeless  powder,  leaving  no  mark  for  retaliation.  Here  in  Chicka- 
mauga,  men  fell  from  the  ranks  cjay  after  day,  who  seemed  to  have  been 


CAMP  THOMAS.  411 

singled  out  as  the  most  robust  and  hardy  of  all,  and  were  carried  help- 
less to  the  regimental,  division,  corps,  and  general  hospitals,  stricken 
l)y  an  unseen  foe.  The  danger  lurked  in  the  air  that  all  breathed,  and 
the  apparently  pure,  limpid  water,  God's  greatest  gift  to  man,  became 
his  deadliest  enemy. 

When  the  plague  descended  on  the  camp,  and  a  full  realization  of 
present  and  impending  horrors  was  forced  upon  all  intelligent  minds, 
frantic  efforts  were  made  to  stay  the  progress  of  the  destroyer,  but  the 
seeds  had  been  sown,  and  the  epidemic  was  fated  to  run  its  course. 
It  .seemed  incongruous  that  .sucii  a  spot  should  be  so  afflicted;  in  all  the 
wide  continent  there  is  no  fairer  place.  The  valley  stretching  between 
Lookout  Mountain  and  Missionary  Ridge  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful 
of  all  the  fertile  valleys  of  the  world;  sunshine  and  shade  here  mingle 
to  satisfy  every  sense.  Our  boys  entered  the  park  joyfully,  and  all 
who  should  have  known  of  the  requirements  of  a  camp,  pronounced  it 
an  ideal  spot.  There  was  no  adequate  preparation  for  the  unexpected, 
which  some  say  "always  happens."  The  action  of  the  Red  Cross 
redeemed  the  situation.  Stephen  E.  Barton,  chairman  of  the  Executive 
Connnittee,  promptly  authorized  measures  to  alleviate  suffering,  to  quote 
the  language  of  the  authorization,  "without  stint."  Elias  Charles 
Smith,  the  field  agent  of  the  Red  Cro.ss,  acting  at  once  on  the  orders 
of  his  .superior,  proceeded  to  find  ways,  the  means  being  furnished. 
Milk  and  ice  were  the  chief  requisites.  All  the  farming  country 
surrounding  the  camp  was  called  upon  to  supply  the  milk,  some  of  it 
coming  from  as  far  as  Biltmore,  N.  C,  from  the  celebrated  dairy  of  a 
millionaire. 

The  ice  came  from  Chattanooga,  and  both  ice  and  milk  were 
supplied  without  delay,  with  no  red  tape,  no  halting,  "  without  .stint," 
to  the  sick.  Requisitions  for  carloads  of  delicacies  were  sent  by 
telegraph,  and  when  the  needs  were  urgent  the  goods  came,  not  by 
freight  but  by  express.  Soups,  wines,  fruit,  and  in  fact  every 
conceivable  article  that  could  contribute  to  the  comfort  and  recovery 
of  the  sick  was  .sent  for,  dispatched,  received  and  distributed.  There 
were  no  "middle  men"  to  question  or  quibble  about  the  advi.sability 
of  things  being  done,  no  halting  and  haggling  about  how  things 
sliould  be  done.  The  field  agent  of  the  Red  Cross  ascertained  the 
urgent  necessities  of  the  sick,  through  the  be.st  official  sources,  and — 
presto! — the  necessities  were  on  the  ground  and  in  u.se. 

The  problem  of  luirsing  was  coincident.  Men  in  the  division 
and  other  hospitals  were  willing,  no  doubt,  but  there  was  "lack  of 
23 


412  THE  RKD  CROvSS. 

woman's  nursing."  There  was  no  "dearth  of  woman's  tears," —  at 
home. 

The  Red  Cross  Auxiliary  No.  3  of  New  York,  through  the 
agency  of  Miss  Maud  Cromlein  in  the  field,  took  up  this  work.  At 
one  time  there  were  140  young  women  graduate  nurses  in  the  service 
of  the  Red  Cross  in  this  camp,  mainly  at  Sternberg  Hospital,  How  to 
care  for  this  large  number  of  refined  young  women,  unused  to  the 
hardships  of  camp  life,  was  a  serious  problem.  Dormitories  were  built 
to  shelter  them,  and  furnished  for  their  comfort.  A  contract  was  made 
with  a  steam  laundry  at  Chattanooga  to  wash  their  clothing  and  every- 
thing possible  was  done  to  make  their  stay  at  least  endurable.  Some 
fell  sick,  of  course,  and  were  tenderly  cared  for  or  furloughed  and  sent 
to  their  homes.  Under  the  direction  of  Miss  Maxwell  a  perfect  system 
was  established  in  all  the  work,  w'hich  commanded  the  respect  and 
approbation  of  the  medical  officers.  Diet  kitchens  were  introduced, 
and  the  sick  were  furnished  with  every  necessary  delicacy. 

It  is  now  a  matter  of  history  that  this  first  organized  experiment 
of  using  women  in  large  numbers  as  nurses  in  a  field  hospital  has  been 
an  unqualified  success.  It  has  the  official  approval  of  the  medical 
officers  of  the  government  from  Surgeon-General  Sternberg  to  the 
smallest,  humblest  subaltern. 

The  Red  Cross  did  not  confine  its  efforts  to  the  help  of  nurses 
wearing  the  Red  Cross.  At  the  old  Third  Division  First  Corps 
Hospital,  afterward  called  Sanger,  Sisters  of  Charity  and  Sisters  of  Mercy 
ministered  to  the  sick.  The  same  attention  was  given  to  them  ;  all 
requisitions  for  milk  and  ice  and  delicacies  were  promptly  filled.  One 
of  these  noble  women.  Sister  Stella  Boyle,  wrote,  "We  are  over- 
whelmed with  your  kindness — what  should  we  have  done  without  the 
Red  Cross  !  "  Leiter  Hospital  received  the  same  help  ;  milk  and  ice 
and  delicacies  were  furnished  "promptly  and  v.'ithout  stint."  That 
was  the  watchword.  And  so  with  the  regimental  hospitals ;  the 
surgeons  in  charge  made  requisition  for  necessary  supplies  and  they 
were  forthcoming,  even  to  the  day  of  the  departure  of  the  last  troops 
from  the  camp,  the  hospital  trains  being  supplied  as  well.  Thus  the 
Red  Cross  followed  the  sick  to  the  doors  of  their  own  homes. 

The  Christian  women  of  Chattanooga  belonging  to  the  Epworth 
League  and  the  churches  of  that  city,  did  a  greatly  needed  work  in 
establishing  hospitals  for  the  care  of  sick  soldiers  enroute.  They  were 
amazed  and  delighted  when  they  learned  they  coul'd  make  requisition 
on  the  Red  Cross  for  necessary  supplies. 


CAMP   THOMAS. 


413 


Field  Agent  E.  C.  Smith,  frail  of  body  but  stout  of  soul,  was 
stricken  at  his  post  of  duty  with  typhoid  September  12,  but  is 
convalescent  and  rapidly  gaining  strength.  When  Miss  Cromlein  and 
Miss  Maxwell  retired  about  the  same  date,  they  were  succeeded  by 
Miss  Gladwin  and  Miss  lyounsbury,  who  have  ably  managed  the  affairs 
of  the  Red  Cross  at  Sternberg.  Under  my  direction  Miss  Gladwin 
recently  visited  Anniston,  Ala.,  and  found  the  .service  of  the  Red 
Cross  greatly  needed  at  Camp  Shipp.  Miss  Gladwin  has  establi.shed 
a  Diet  Kitchen  at  that  camp  and  has  done  much  to  better  the  con- 
ditiou  of  the  .soldiers  in  the  camp  ho.spitals. 

There  are  still  200  sick  at  Sternberg  and  50  at  Inciter,  but  these  will 
soon  I  hope  be  furloughed  and  returned  to  their  homes. 

All  who  have  represented  the  Red  Cross  at  Chickamauga  have 
worked  with  the  greatest  self-denial  and  enthusiasm,  with  full  apprecia- 
tion of  the  lofty  aims  of  the  society  and  with  personal  pride.  Wlien 
the  roll  of  honor  is  made  up,  I  know  of  no  name  that  shouM  W 
omitted. 


U.  S.  S.   ■•ORHGON. 


414  THE  RICI)  CROSS. 


JACKSONVILLE,  FLA. 

At  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  the  work  at  the  camp  was  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  Rev.  Alexander  Kent,  of  Washington,  D.  C,  who  has 
been  a  member  of  the  Ameri>.an  National  Red  Cross  for  many  years. 
He  l)egan  his  duties  about  the  middle  of  June  and,  assisted  by  his  son, 
continued  until  the  order  for  the  abandonment  of  the  camp  was  issued. 
The  territory  covered  by  this  agency  included  also  the  camps  at  Miami 
and  Fernandina.  The  affairs  of  the  Red  Cross  in  this  field  were  most 
efficientl}-  conducted  and  with  great  credit  to  Dr.  Kent  and  his  assist- 
ant. In  addition  to  the  medical  and  hospital  supplies  and  delicacies, 
which  were  furnished  in  great  quantities,  over  thirteen  thousand  dol- 
lars were  spent  in  adding  to  the  comforts  of  the  sick  and  convalescent. 
Dr.  Kent  makes  the  following  interesting  report: 

On  June  i6  I  arrived  in  Jacksonville,  in  company  with  Miss 
Clara  Barton,  then  on  her  way  to  Key  West  and  Santiago.  We  visited 
Camp  Cuba  Libre  in  the  afternoon,  when  I  enjoyed  the  great  advantage 
of  being  presented  b}^  Miss  Barton  to  several  of  the  officials  as  the  rep- 
resentative of  the  Red  Cross  at  this  point.  On  the  following  morning 
I  visited  the  hospital — that  of  the  Second  Division,  the  First  being  at 
Miami  and  the  Third  not  formed — where  I  found  what  appeared  to  me 
to  be  very  distressing  and  unhealtliful  conditions.  The  number  of 
patients  at  that  time  was  small,  but,  few  as  they  were,  no  adequate 
provision  had  been  made  for  their  comfort.  Most  of  them,  indeed, 
were  on  cots,  but  few  had  either  sheets  or  nightshirts  to  cover  their 
nakedness.  They  were  either  lying  in  soiled  iniderclothing,  sweltering 
in  the  heat  under  army  blankets,  or  destitute  of  any  clothing  whatever. 
T  lost  no  time  in  ordering  one  hundred  .sheets,  with  the  same  number  of 
pillow-cases  and  ticks,  having  assurance  from  one  of  the  surgeons  that 
the  latter  could  be  readily  filled  with  moss  and  pine  needles,  making  a 
comfort-giving  and  healthful  pillow.  By  the  time  this  need  was  met  1 
learned  that  the  sick  were  destitute  of  suitable  food,  so  I  made  it  my 
next  business  to  provide  a  sufficienc}^  of  this.  No  sooner  had  I  begun 
this  work  than  I  had  to  face  the  fact  that  the  hospital  had  no  proper 
facilities  for  cooking  this  food  and  no  place  in  which  to  care  for  it  and 
keep  it  cool  and  sweet  when  prepared.  So  I  purchased  a  large  Blue 
Flame  oil  stove  and  a  No.  6  Alaska  ice  chest.     I  soon  discovered  tha; 


JACKSONVIIJ.E,  FLA.  415 

the  patients  were  suffering  from  want  of  ice  and  made  haste  to  secure 
an  adequate  supply  of  this.  But  in  all  these  things  adequate  provision 
for  one  week  was  no  adequate  provision  for  the  next.  Patients  came 
into  the  hospital  in  ever-increasing  numbers;  cots,  sheets,  pillows  and 
pillow-cases  had  to  be  doubled  and  trebled  and  quadrupled  as  the 
weeks  went  by.  The  government  provided  many  sheets,  many  cots 
and  many  pillows,  but  the  demand  ever  outran  the  supply,  and  the  Red 
Cross  was  called  on  continually  to  make  up  the  lack.  In  the  nlatter  of 
ice,  milk,  eggs,  lemons,  malted  milk,  peptonoids,  clam  bouillon,  beef 
extract,  calfsfoot  jelly,  gelatine,  cornstarch,  tapioca,  condensed  milk, 
rice,  barley,  sugar,  butter,  and  delicacies  of  all  kinds,  the  government 
made  no  provision,  neither  did  the  hospital  from  its  ration  fund.  All 
supplies  of  this  kind  were  furnished  by  the  Red  Cross  or  by  other 
charitable  or  beneficent  agencies.  So  far  as  I  have  been  able  to  learn, 
and  I  questioned  those  in  charge  of  the  division  hospitals,  no  use  was 
made  of  the  ration  fund  in  the  Jacksonville  hospitals  in  the  way  of  pro- 
curing delicacies  for  patients.  The  sole  reliance  for  these  things  was 
the  Red  Cross  and  similar  agencies  of  individual  and  organized 
beneficence. 

Of  individual  beneficence  the  most  marked  examples  were  Mrs. 
Marshall,  proprietor  of  the  Carleton  Hotel;  Mrs.  Moulton,wifeof  Colonel 
Moulton,  of  the  Second  Illinois,  and  Mrs.  Rich,  a  quiet,  modest  lady 
of  this  city.  These  gave  their  whole  time  to  the  work  of  devising  ways 
and  means  for  promoting  the  comfort  and  health  of  the  sick.  They 
made  chicken  broth,  ice  cream,  wine  jellies  and  a  variety  of  delicacies 
grateful  to  the  palates  of  the  sick  soldiers.  Other  Jacksonville  ladies 
did  much  in  this  direction,  but  these  ladies  were  constant  and  untiring 
in  their  efforts.  Though  Mrs.  Marshall  had  many  of  the  soldiers  cared 
for  free  of  charge  at  her  own  hotel,  never  for  a  day  was  she  absent 
from  the  camp.  She  was  a  veritable  ministering  angel,  and  the  Red 
Cross  is  greatly  indebted  to  her  for  much  of  the  information  that  helped 
us  to  give  wisely  and  when  most  needed.  Through  Mrs.  Moulton 
many  of  the  good  people  of  Chicago  bestowed  their  benefactions.  Five 
days  out  of  every  week  found  Mrs.  Rich  at  one  of  the  division  hos- 
pitals, making  her  ice  cream  for  the  boys  and  giving  them  a  taste  of 
her  delicious  wine  jellies.  When  the  Red  Cross  learned  of  her  excellent 
work  it  took  pains  to  keep  her  supplied  with  all  needed  niateiial,  beside 
furnishing  a  twenty-five  quart  ice  cream  freezer  with  v;hich  to  do  her 
work.  All  of  these  women  de.serve  a  more  extend<^.d  iiul  a  worthier 
tribute  than  we  can  pay  them  in  this  report. 


4i6  THE  RKD  CROvSS. 

With  the  growth  of  the  hospital  there  came  ever-increasing 
demands  for  ice  and  milk,  for  delicacies  of  every  sort,  and  for  all  the 
comforts  and  conveniences  that  tend  to  make  hospital  work  pleasant 
and  effective.  Early  in  the  history  of  the  Second  Division  hospital, 
the  Red  Cross  paid  the  bills  for  a  bath  house  and  a  kitchen.  It 
furnished  also  the  large  circular  wall  tent  for  convalescents.  It  gave 
over  a  hundred  cots  and  mattresses,  and  nearly  a  thousand  pillows. 
Of  sheets  and  pillow-cases,  nightshirts  and  pajamas,  it  gave  many 
thousands.  We  not  only  distributed  a  large  number  sent  from  New  York; 
l)ox'es  were  sent  us  from  St.  Augustine,  from  Augusta,  Ga.,  from 
Connecticut,  Pennsylvania  and  the  District  of  Columbia.  Few  people 
liave  any  conception  of  the  quantity  of  such  articles  required  to  keep 
a  hospital  with  five  hundred  to  seven  hundred  patients  in  good  running 
order.  So  often  are  these  things  soiled  that  there  must  be  at  least 
three  or  four  sets  to  every  cot.  When  there  are  three  or  four  hospitals, 
with  an  aggregate  sick  list  ranging  from  fifteen  hundred  to  two  thou- 
sand, the  number  of  sheets  and  pillow-cases,  nightshirts  and  pajamas 
necessary  to  keep  the  beds  and  the  patients  presentable  is  surprisingly 
large.  Of  course  the  government  has  supplied  the  greater  number  of 
sheets  and  pillow-cases,  but  the  Red  Cross  has  furnished  probably  the 
greater  number  of  pillows,  nightshirts  and  pajamas.  In  none  of  these 
things  has  the  supply  ever  quite  equaled  the  demand.  Even  at  the 
present  time  the  cry  of  need  is  almost  as  loud  as  ever.  When  the 
recuperating  hospital  was  established  at  Pablo  Beach,  the  Red  Cross,  at 
the  request  of  the  chief-surgeon,  supplied  two  hundred  and  fifty  sets 
of  dishes  with  a  complete  outfit  of  pitchers,  trays,  buckets  and  many 
other  things.  Even  the  business  of  the  chief-surgeon's  office  and  that 
of  the  surgeon  at  Pablo  Beach  is  transacted  on  desks  furnished  by  the 
Red  Cross  at  the  request  of  these  parties.  It  has  contributed  to  furnish 
the  diet  kitchens  with  stoves,  utensils  and  dishes,  and  has  supplied  the 
hospitals  themselves  with  many  articles  of  convenience  and  comfort. 
It  provided  four  dozen  large  clothes  hampers,  printed  many  thousands 
of  patient  records  and  other  papers.  It  had  fifty  large  ice  chests  manu- 
factured and  placed  one  in  each  ward  of  the  principal  hospitals.  It 
gave  over  seven  hundred  buckets  for  the  carrying  of  ofial,  and  fur- 
nished screens  for  the  use  of  the  nurses.  It  gave  bed-pans  and  urinals 
in  large  numbers,  over  a  thousand  tumblers,  medicine  glasses,  gradu- 
ated glasses,  a  sterilizing  apparatus,  hypodermic  syringes  and  needles. 
Of  the  latter  we  learned  that  there  was  not  a  single  whole  one  in  the 
hospital   at  the  time  we  were  called  on.     Scores  of  men  had  been 


JACKSONVILLK,  FI.A.  417 

obliged  to  receive  their  hypodermic  injections  from  a  broken  point, 
suffering  greatly  from  the  operation  and  subsequent  results.  The 
Red  Cross  has  furnished  over  one  thousand  dollars  worth  of  medicines 
not  on  the  government  list,  besides  malted  milk,  peptonoids,  pepto 
mangan,  peptogenic  milk  powder,  maltine  and  a  large  shipment  of 
medicines  sent  from  New  York.  It  has  given  over  a  thousand  bath  and 
surgical  sponges  and  towels  in  immense  quantities.  In  short,  with  the 
exception  of  tents,  cots,  blankets,  and,  to  a  considerable  extent,  sheets, 
furnished  by  the  government,  the  Red  Cross,  up  to  Septembei  ist, 
furnished  the  greater  part  of  the  hospital  equipment.  As  the  several 
heads  of  divisions  have  said  to  me  again  and  again.  "The  hospitals 
never  could  have  equipped  themselves  from  their  ration  fund.  They 
would  have  broken  down  utterly  without  the  aid  of  the  Red  Cross." 

We  have  spent  here  over  thirteen  thousand  dollars  in  cash  for  hospital 
equipment  and  supplies  of  various  kinds,  including  ice  and  milk,  in 
addition  to  the  large  quantities  of  goods  sent  from  New  York  the  cost 
of  which  we  do  not  know.  And  with  all  this,  the  need  has  not  been 
met  as  fully  or  as  promptly  as  it  should  have  been.  The  number  of 
the  sick  increased  so  greatly  beyond  the  expectations  of  the  oflScers  in 
charge  that  the  supply  has  never,  for  any  considerable  time,  been  equal 
to  the  demand.  Even  now,  when  the  government  has  allowed  sixty 
cents  a  daj'^  for  each  patient  in  the  hospital,  and  has  recently  so 
extended  the  order  as  to  include  regimental  as  well  as  division  hos- 
pitals, there  is  still  continuous  appeal  to  the  Red  Cross  for  a  variety 
of  things,  which  those  in  charge  of  the  hospital  fund  do  not  feel  war- 
ranted in  buying,  and  as  yet  few  of  the  regiments  have  gotten  their 
hospitals  into  shape  to  ask  for  anything.  As  they  move  to  Savannah 
in  a  few  days,  they  will  not  be  in  condition  to  draw  any  money  for  weeks 
to  come.  It  is  very  fortunate  therefore,  that  your  committee  has  seen 
fit  to  grant  our  last  requisition,  for  the  goods  you  have  shipped  will 
be  of  great  benefit  to  the  soldiers  on  their  way  to  Cuba. 

I  have  omitted  to  state  that  a  most  important  part  of  the  work  of 
the  Red  Cross  has  been  the  supplying  of  ice  for  the  purpose  of  cooling 
the  drinking  water  of  the  camps.  Our  ice  bills  for  camp  and  hospitals, 
at  an  average  of  thirty-five  cents  per  hundred  pounds  have  been  over 
six  thousand  dollars,  the  Second  Division  hospital  alone  often  consum- 
ing from  four  to  five  tons  a  day.  Our  milk  bills  were  also  large, 
averaging  for  some  time  over  five  hundred  dollars  a  week,  at  a  cost  of 
forty  cents  a  gallon. 

Our  relations  with  both  army  and  medical  officials  have  been,  on  the 


4i8  THE  RED  CROSS. 

whole,  harmonious  and  pleasant.  Perhaps  the  best  evidence  of  this  is 
the  fact  that  the  government  teams  and  men  have  always  been  at  our 
service  whether  to  haul  the  goods  from  the  wharf  to  the  store  or  from 
(he  store  to  the  camp.  Some  little  feeling  arose  over  my  attitude  in 
regard  to  the  necessity  for  female  nurses,  but  as  the  outcome  has 
abundantly  shown  the  soundness  of  my  contention,  that  has  pretty 
much  passed  away.  Our  hospitals  have  been  far  from  ideal  but  I 
believe  they  are  generally  regarded  as  the  best  in  the  country,  and 
perhaps  none  have  realized  their  shortcomings  and  defects  more  than 
the  men  charged  with  their  administration.  It  is  not  an  easy  matter 
to  select,  even  from  an  American  army,  a  sufficient  number  of  capable 
and  reliable  men  for  so  large  and  complex  an  institution,  and  incapacity 
or  infidelity  at  any  point  is  liable  not  onlj^  to  bring  most  serious  results, 
but  to  throw  discredit  upon  the  entire  management.  Doubtless  many 
things  have  been  done  that  should  never  have  been  permitted,  and 
many  left  undone  that  constitute  a  record  of  what  ought  to  be  criminal 
neglect,  yet  these  things  can  be  wholly  avoided  only  by  men  of  the 
highest  ability  and  largest  experience,  working  with  trained  subordi- 
nates, and  with  every  facility  for  successful  endeavor.  It  has  not  been 
possible  to  secure  such  conditions  in  any  of  the  hospitals.  The  men  in 
charge  have  been  obliged  to  use  such  material  as  they  could  get,  and 
often  the  commanding  officers  of  regiments,  when  asked  for  a  detail  for 
hospital  work,  have  given  the  very  poorest  material  they  had.  I  am 
disposed,  therefore,  to  have  pretty  large  charity  always  for  the  surgeon- 
in-charge.  He  has  a  most  difficult  task,  and  at  the  very  best,  can  only 
hope  for  moderate  success.     Ideal  results  he  can  never  .secure. 

I  have  said  nothing  of  our  work  at  Miami  or  Fernandina,  for  there 
is  little  to  say.  The  troops  were  moved  from  Miami  so  soon  after  we 
were  made  acquainted  with  their  needs,  that  we  did  little  more  than 
supply  the  hospital  with  ice,  during  the  weeks  in  which  the  sick  were 
convalescing.  We  were  not  permitted  to  do  even  this  at  Fernandina. 
Those  in  charge  of  the  hospitals,  division  and  regimental,  disclaimed 
all  need  of  aid.  The  government  supplied  them  with  all  that  they 
required.  We  have  had  many  testimonies  from  officers  and  privates, 
showing  the  profound  appreciation  everywhere  felt  for  the  work  of  the 
Red  Cross.  Perhaps  no  other  part  of  its  work  was  so  highly  prized  by 
the  soldiers  at  large  as  that  w4iich  furnished  them  cool  drinking  water. 
Had  the  chief-surgeon.  Colonel  Maus,  not  been  so  deeply  preju- 
diced against  female  nurses  in  general,  and  Red  Cross  nurses  in 
particular,  we  might  have  done  a  much  greater  work  in  the  hospitals 


JACKSONVILLE,  FLA. 


419 


than  was  permitted  to  us.  While  the  vSeconcl  Division  hospital  was 
still  young,  the  Red  Cross  offered  its  nurses  freely  and  gratuitously. 
It  offered  to  shelter  and  feed  them  at  its  own  expense,  but  the  offer  was 
spurned  indignantly  and  with  scarcely  disguised  contempt.  We  were 
told  that  female  nurses  were  not  needed,  that  the  hospital  had  already 
more  skilled  nurses  than  it  could  use,  and  that  female  nurses  were  a 
nuisance  round  a  camp  anyway.  Most  of  them,  the  chief-surgeon 
affirmed,  were  drawn  to  the  work  by  a  morbid  sentimentality  or  by 
motives  of  even  a  more  questionable  character.  He  would  have  none 
of  them.  But  the  time  came  when  even  this  officer  had  to  change  his 
attitude  if  not  his  opinions,  and  women  nurses  were  sought  for  and 
welcomed  to  the  hospital  by  hundreds.  That  they  have  proven  a  great 
blessing  to  the  boys,  no  one  now  questions  ;  many  most  pronounced  in 
their  opposition  are  now  loudest  in  their  praise,  and  the  Red  Cross 
rejoices  that  the  good  work  is  being  done,  though  itself  denied  the 
privilege  of  doing. 


AI.MIRANTK    OQUHNPC 


\ITKR    TIIK    KNOAGEMENT. 


420  THE   RED   CROSS. 


FORT  MCPHERSON,  GA. 

Early  in  August  Mr.  D,  ly.  Cobb,  on  a  tour  of  inspection,  arrived 
at  Fort  McPherson,  Georgia,  to  see  if  any  assistance  was  required  at  the 
post,  and  if  an  agency  could  be  established.  It  was  found  that  Mrs. 
Anna  E.  Nave,  wife  of  Rev.  Orville  J.  Nave,  chaplain  of  the  post,  and 
their  daughter.  Miss  Hermione  Nave,  had  established  a  small  dietary 
kitchen  and  were  supporting  a  table  for  convalescents.  The  object  of 
the  kitchen  was  to  provide  light  and  nutritive  diet  for  the  soldiers  in 
the  barracks  who  were  suffering  from  stomach  troubles,  dysentery  and 
kindred  digestive  disorders,  and  to  care  for  the  convalescents  from 
typhoid  fever  and  other  serious  sickness,  until  they  were  sufficiently 
recovered  to  be  again  returned  to  the  company  mess. 

As  this  kitchen  was  performing  an  important  part  in  the  care  of 
the  men,  and  the  demands  upon  it  were  daily  increasing,  it  was  pro- 
posed that  it  be  continued,  and  its  work  extended  as  the  demands 
increased,  and  that  the  Red  Cross  would  pay  all  expenses  and  furnish 
all  the  supplies  required.  Rev.  Orville  J.  Nave  was  accordingly 
appointed  as  the  field  agent  at  Fort  McPherson,  the  kitchen  remaining 
under  the  immediate  care  and  supervision  of  Mrs.  Nave  and  her 
daughter,  assisted  by  a  committee  of  representative  women  of  the  city 
of  Atlanta,  including  Mrs.  Governor  Atkinson,  Miss  Mary  L.  Gordon- 
Huntley,  Mrs.  Ivoulie  M.  Gordon,  Miss  Junia  McKinley,  Mrs.  E.  H. 
Barnes,  and  others. 

Under  the  auspices  of  the  Red  Cross  the  capacity  of  the  kitchen 
was  soon  doubled,  and  the  table  was  maintained  until  the  first  of 
October,  when  assistance  was  no  longer  necessary.  At  the  table  about 
20,000  meals  were  served.  By  this  means  doubtless  many  lives  were 
saved,  for  the  percentage  of  relapses  among  the  typhoid  fever  cases, 
ordinarily  quite  large,  was  very  small  at  this  post.  In  addition  to  the 
supplies  of  food,  medicines  and  clothing  sent  to  this  field,  in  response 
to  the  requisitions,  some  $1400  in  cash  were  expended  in  support  of 
the  table  and  ir  furnishing  those  things  which  were  at  times  needed 
quickly,  and  which  could  be  purchased  in  the  local  markets  at  Atlanta. 

A  stenographer  was  also  furnished,  so  that  Dr.  Nave  might  be 
able  to  answer  the  many  inquiries  from  parents  and  relatives  of  men 
in  the  hospitals,  and  attend  to  the  ordinary  correspondence  connected 


FORT  Mcpherson,  ga. 


421 


with  the  work.     Seven  nurses  were  supplied  to  assist  in  the  hospital 
work.     Dr.  Nave  in  his  report  says: 


The  importance  of  this  work,  as  a  supplement  to  that  done  by  the  government 
for  the  relief  of  the  sick,  cannot  be  overstated.  An  institution,  such  as  an  army 
hospital,  deals  with  the  sick  by  masses.  Much  nmst  be  left  to  subordinates,  many 
of  whom  have  little  or  no  experience  in  caring  for  the  sick.  The  system  is  devised 
for  the  many.  But,  where  many  are  sick,  a  percentage  of  the  patients  cannot 
regain  health  without  special  care.  The  work  done  by  the  Red  Cross  at  Fort 
McPherson  was  that  which  could  not  be  done  effectually  by  institutional  methods. 
Furthermore,  those  who  assisted  in  the  work  were  actuated  solely  by  philanthropic 
motives.  They  therefore  brought  elements  to  their  work  that  employes  too  often 
lack,  elements  of  gentleness  and  love.  Two  thousand  soldiers  in  as  many  homes, 
nursed  back  to  health,  live  to  love  and  honor  the  Red  Cross  in  memory  of 
the  helping  hand  sent  to  them  and  administered  through  the  hospital  at  Fort 
McPherson.  The  total  cash  expenditures,  including  the  cost  of  maintaining  the 
kitchen,  was  I2242, 


To  Dr.  Nave,  his  wife  and  daughter,  and  to  the  Atlanta  Com- 
mittee of  the  Red  Cross,  great  credit  is  due  for  the  efficient  manner  in 
which  the  auxiliary  work  at  this  point  was  carried  on.  Acting  with 
discretion,  and  with  loyalty  to  the  principles  of  the  Red  Cross,  they 
have  carried  their  work  to  a  successful  conclusion  without  a  com- 
plaint from  any  source. 


U.  S.  WAR  SHIPS  BEFORE 
THE  ENTRANCE  TO  SAN- 
TIAGO HARBOR. 


422  Tim  RED  CROSS 


CAMP  HOBSON,  GA. 

At  Camp  Hobson,  Lithia  Springs,  Ga.,  a  diet  kitchen  was  alsa 
maintained,  under  the  direction  of  Miss  Junia  McKinley,  assisted  by 
the  Atlanta.  Conmiiltee  of  the  Red  Cross,  of  which  the  following  accounl 
is  received: 

The  diet  kitchen  was  opened  here  on  Monday,  August  9,  and 
remained  in  operation  three  weeks,  at  tlie  expiration  of  which  time  the 
camp  broke  up.  During  the  first  week  after  the  kitchen  was  estab- 
lished, when  detachments  from  the  vSixth,  Seventh,  Eighth,  Twenty- 
first  and  Twenty-fifth  regiments  were  in  camp,  11 76  meals  were  served. 
The  next  week  orders  were  received  for  the  removal  of  the  Eighth  and 
part  of  the  other  regiments  to  Montauk  Point,  consequently  the  number 
of  convalescents  was  reduced,  but  during  the  second  and  third  week 
2066  meals  were  served,  making  a  total  of  3242  meals  served  at  tlie 
table  and  in  the  hospital  during  the  time  the  kitchen  was  in  operation. 
The  meals  were  furnished  to  convalescents  in  the  hospital,  men  relieved 
from  duty  but  not  sick  enough  to  be  in  the  hospital,  and  to  the  hospital 
corps.  The  table  meals  consisted  of  the  following:  For  breakfast, 
cereals,  coffee,  tea,  fresh  milk,  eggs,  toast,  bread  and  butter.  For 
dinner,  soups,  bouillons,  rice  and  milk,  eggs,  crackers,  bread  and  fresh 
milk,  coffee,  California  fruits  (canned),  wine,  jelly  or  simple  dessert. 
Supper  was  the  same  as  breakfast,  with  the  addition  of  stewed  fruit. 
To  patients  in  hospital,  beef  tea  (made  from  fresh  beef  as  well  as 
extracts),  soft-boiled  eggs,  cream  toast  and  fresh  milk  was  served  at 
regular  hours. 

The  only  paid  help  were  two  men  and  one  woman,  the  latter  lived 
near  the  camp  and  reported  for  duty  at  first  meal  call  and  remained 
until  dining  tent  and  kitchen  were  in  order.  The  other  work  in 
kitchen  was  gratuitously  done  by  Atlanta  members  of  Red  Cross 
Society,  assisted  by  Mrs.  Edward  H.  Barnes,  Miss  Loulie  Gordon 
Roper  (niece  of  General  J.  B.  Gordon) ,  Miss  Emmie  McDonnell,  Miss 
Estelle  Whelan,  Mrs.  George  Boykin  Saunders,  all  of  Atlanta,  and  the 
ladies  from  Sweetwater  Park  Hotel,  who  came  over  daily  from  the 
hotel,  about  half  a  mile  distant  from  camp,  and  assisted  in  serving 
table  meals,  also  in  carrying  delicacies  to  hospitals  and  distributed  flowers 
among  the  patients. 


CAMP  HOBSON,  GA.  423 

It  affords  us  pleasure  to  acknowledge  the  uniform  courtesy  of  the 
army  officials,  especially  the  commandant,  Major  Thomas  Wilhehu, 
Chief  Surgeon  Major  E.  L.  Swift,  Assistant  Surgeons  Street,  Bak  and 
Johnson  and  Lieutenant  Norman,  quartermaster.  Major  Wilhelm  had 
our  kitchen  built  and  fly  tent  for  dining  hall  put  up  in  a  few  hours 
after  our  arrival,  detailed  men  to  help  whenever  needed  in  kitchen, 
and  with  finest  courtesy  assured  us  of  his  appreciation  of  what  was 
being  done  to  add  to  the  comfort  of  his  sick  and  convalescent  men. 

Besides  the  regular  kitchen  work  at  Camp  Hobson,  the  Red  Cross 
furnished  for  a  short  time  to  the  hospitals  one  special  nurse  (Miss 
McKinley)  and  one  trained  nurse  (Miss  McLain),  who  remained  until 
our  last  patients  were  sent  to  Fort  McPherson  General  Hospital  and 
went  with  them  in  the  hospital  train,  ministering  to  their  wants  until 
they  were  transferred  to  their  respective  wards  there.  In  this  connec- 
tion we  think  proper  to  state  that  many  of  our  Camp  Hobson  patients 
now  in  Fort  McPherson  Hospital,  one  of  the  best  equipped  and  best 
managed  hospitals  in  the  country',  assure  us  that  they  can  never  forget 
the  unfailing  kindness  of  Chief  Surgeon  Swift  and  assistants,  the  faith- 
ful care  of  their  Red  Cross  nurses,  nor  the  delicacies  furnished  by  the 
diet  kitchen  at  Camp  Hobson. 

The  Red  Cross  having  authorized  Miss  McKinley  to  furnish  any- 
thing necessary  for  the  sick,  medicines,  fine  whiskey  and  hospital 
supplies  were  ordered  by  telephone  from  Atlanta,  as  there  was  some 
delay  in  shipment  of  government  supplies,  the  orders  were  promptly 
filled  and  proved  important  factors  in  improving  hospital  wards.  Cloth- 
ing was  furnished  to  some  of  the  Camp  PIcbson  men  who  were  left 
behind  and  could  not  draw  needed  articles  of  clothing  as  their  "  descrip- 
tive lists"  had  not  been  furnished.  When  the  Twenty-first  Regiment 
left  for  the  North  coffee  was  served  on  the  train  to  the  entire  regiment 
in  second  section.  Most  of  the  ice  used  after  the  diet  kitchen  was 
established  was  furnished  through  Mr.  Percy  R.  Pyne,  of  New  York, 
who  kindly  supplied  what  was  needed.  Thanks  are  due  G.  F.  Mat- 
thews &  Co.,  of  New  York,  who  wrote  that  they  would  furnish  all  the 
tea  needed  in  the  kitchen,  but  as  the  camp  was  about  to  break  up,  their 
kind  offer  was  not  accepted. 

Special  thanks  are  due  to  H.  W.  Blake,  manager  of  Sweetwater 
Park  Hotel  at  Lithia  Springs,  for  many  courtesies  extended,  when  our 
milkman  was  late,  or  our  groceries  (ordered  from  Atlanta)  were 
delayed,  he  furnished  fresh  milk  and  eggs  for  the  patients  until  our 
supplies   arrived.      Mrs.    Blake   sent   daily    from    the    beautiful    hote. 


424 


THK    RFJ)   CROSS. 


gardens,  flowers  for  hospitals  and  dining  table,  also  for  distribution  in 
hospital  trains  before  leaving  Camp  Hobson. 

In  conclusion,  we  can  venture  to  assure  you  that  while  the  time  of 
our  work  at  Camp  Hobson  was  short,  great  good  was  accomplished,  the 
improvement  of  convalescents  who  took  meals  at  the  kitchen  was  very 
rapid,  owing  to  the  well  prepared  and  nourishing  food  furnished  them. 
The  surgeons,  as  well  as  hospital  stewards,  were  much  gratified  at 
marked  improvement  in  hospital  wards  after  the  arrival  of  Red  Cross 
nurses. 

Upon  the  departure  of  every  hospital  train,  we  served  iced  milk  to 
fever  patients,  milk  toast  to  those  not  restricted  to  liquid  diet,  and 
supplied  milk  and  stimulants  for  their  journe}'.  We  thank  the  Red 
Cross  for  the  privilege  of  assisting  in  their  relief  work  for  our  soldiers 
at  Camp  Hobson,  whose  appreciation  for  all  that  was  done  for  them  was 
unbounded  and  their  gratitude  a  delight  to  those  who  ministered  t( 
their  wants. 


MARIE  TERESA"  AFTER  THE  ENGAGEMENT. 


ST.   PAUL,   MINN.  425 


ST.  PAUL,  MINN. 

The  story  of  the  Red  Cross  of  St.  Paul,   Minn.,  is  briefly  told  in 
the  report  by  Miss  Caroline  M.  Beaumont,  the  recording  secretary: 


The  St.  Paul  Red  Cross  Aid  Society  was  organized  on  the  ninth  of  May,  1898, 
shortly  after  the  beginning  of  the  war,  pursuant  to  a  general  call  for  aid,  with  Mr. 
A.  S.  Tallniadge  as  president,  and  a  full  board  of  officers.  It  was  at  first  intended 
to  form  a  regular  auxiliary  of  the  Red  Cross,  directly  tributary  to  the  National 
Organization,  and  distribute  supplies  through  headquarters  only.  But  the  fact  that 
the  State  volunteer  regiments  were  actually  in  need  of  immediate  aid  to  equip 
them  to  leave  for  points  of  mobilization,  induced  the  society  to  turn  their  attention 
to  local  needs  first. 

The  Twelfth,  Thirteenth  and  Fourteenth  Minnesota  Volunteers  were  first 
furnished  with  hospital  supplies,  delicacies  for  the  sick,  and  all  those  necessary 
articles  which  the  government  does  not  suppl}',  or  furnishes  only  in  meagre 
quantities.  Working  headquarters  were  established,  requests  for  donations  were 
published  which  met  with  immediate  response,  which  testified  to  the  generosity  of 
ihe  citizens  of  St.  Paul  and  surrounding  towns.  Successful  entertainments  were 
also  given,  sewing  and  packing  committees  were  appointed,  and  women  from  all 
over  the  city  gave  freely  of  their  means,  their  time  and  their  efforts,  as  they 
thought  of  a  husband,  a  son  or  a  dear  one  in  far  away  Cuba  or  Manila.  The 
patriotism  and  loyality  of  the  men  of  Minnesota  was  shared  and  often  inspired  by 
the  women  who  gave  so  freely.  The  women  of  St.  Paul  with  willing  hands  and 
loving  hearts,  have  shared  in  the  glories  of  the  war,  and  the  sorrows  of  personal 
loss  has  been  mitigated  by  pride  of  race,  and  the  love  of  a  country  that  has  borne 
such  soldiers  and  sailors  as  our  brave  boys. 


Not  in  Minnesota  alone,  but  in  all  the  States,  the  willing  hands 
and  loving  hearts  of  the  women  of  America  have  been  among  the 
foremost  in  affording  relief  to  the  sick  and  wounded.  At  home  in  the 
auxiliaries,  in  the  hospitals,  on  the  transports  and  at  the  front,  wher- 
ever sickness  and  suffering  called. 

Early  in  the  campaign  they  seemed  to  awaken  to  the  true  meaning 
and  the  great  mission  of  the  Red  Cross,  and,  setting  before  them  the 
standard,  they  have  followed  it  from  one  field  of  suffering  to  another. 
True  soldiers  of  humanity,  they  have  labored  earnestly  and  incessantly, 
and  have  proven  themselves  worthy  to  wear  the  emblem  of  their  loving, 
faithful  service — the  Red  Cross  of  Geneva. 


4j6  THK    red   cross. 


MONTAUK  POINT,  L.  I. 

At  the  request  of  the  New  York  ReHef  Committee,  the  executive 
committee  of  the  Red  Cross  appointed  Mr.  Howard  Townsend  as  the 
field  agent  at  Montauk  Point,  Long  Island,  under  whose  supervision 
the  work  of  the  Red  Cross  at  this  important  station  was  admirably 
conducted.      Mr.  Townsend  in  his  report  says: 

The  Red  Cross  appeared  on  the  ground  on  Sunday,  August  7, 
1898,  and  its  representative  remained  there  permanently  after  August 
10.  The  first,  and  in  some  respects  the  most  important  work,  was  the 
delivery  of  a  daily  supply  of  pure  water  to  the  government  officials  at 
the  camp.  For  the  first  ten  days  the  most  serious  problem  was  how 
to  obtain  good  water,  and  until  the  great  well  was  dug,  the  hospitals 
were  supplied  by  the  Red  Cross.  Ten  thousand  gallons  of  Hygeia 
water  were  delivered  at  the  camp,  and  four  tank  cars  brought  dail}' 
from  Jamaica  sufficient  spring  water  to  prevent  a  water  famine. 

There  was  important  work  to  be  done  also  in  connection  with  the 
general  hospital,  furnishing  to  it  such  supplies  as  were  rendered  neces- 
sary by  the  hurry  and  confusion  of  the  first  two  weeks  of  the  camp's 
existence.  Cots,  clothing,  bed-clothing,  household  appliances  and 
cooking  utensils,  refrigerators  and  other  articles,  in  short  a  large  part 
of  the  things  necessary  for  a  hospital.  All  of  these  things  were 
promptly  supplied,  through  the  quick  communication  established  with 
the  Red  Cross  supply  depot  in  New  York  City,  and  the  system  of 
placing  orders  by  telegraph,  by  which  supplies  most  needed  were  often 
on  hand  within  a  few  hours  after  the  need  was  discovered. 

Delicacies,  fruits  and  milk  were  furnished  to  the  hospitals  until  the 
government  itself  was  able  vto  meet  the  demand  in  this  direction. 
Although  the  quarantine  regulations  prevented  the  Red  Cross  from 
being  in  constant  attendance  at  the  detention  hospital,  yet  we  kept  it 
abundantly  supplied  with  delicacies,  and  quite  often  with  necessities. 
Many  tons  of  supplies  were  furnished,  including  food,  clothing  and 
stimulants. 

The  necessity  arising  for  trained  nurses  at  the  general  hospital, 
the  services  of  twenty  trained  women  nurses  were  offered  about  August 
16,  their  salaries  and  all  expenses  to  be  paid  by  the  Red  Cross.  The 
Secretary  of  War  promptly  directed  the  acceptance  of  the  offer,  although 


MONTAUK    POINT,  L.  I.  429 

insisting  that  the  government  should  pay  all  expenses.  Since  that 
time  there  have  been  as  many  as  one  hundred  and  forty  nurses  in  the 
hospital  at  one  time,  in  addition  to  about  one  hundred  and  ten  Sisters  of 
Charity.  These  women  nurses  uniformly  conducted  themselves  with 
decorum  in  the  camp,  and  their  services  undoubtedly  saved  the  lives 
of  many  patients.  All  the  nurses,  except  the  Sisters  of  Charity,  were 
furnished  through  the  instrumentality  of  the  Red  Cross.  The  division 
hospitals  were  established  later  in  the  history  of  the  camp,  and  these 
were  also  supplied  with  suitable  provisions,  delicacies,  medical  stores 
and  instruments,  and  Red  Cross  nurses. 

The  Red  Cross  yacht  arrived  at  Camp  Wyckoff  on  the  eleventh  of 
August  with  the  first  load  of  supplies.  The  boat  was  furnished  for  the 
use  of  the  Red  Cross  by  the  Relief  Committee  of  the  Red  Cross  in  New 
York.  This  vessel  is  admirably  fitted  for  carrying  a  small  number  of 
sick  people,  and  was  offered  to  the  government  by  the  relief  committee, 
and  has  been  in  steady  use  as  a  hospital  ship,  conveying  fifteen  invalids 
at  a  time  to  the  various  hospitals  along  the  Connecticut  coast  and  in 
New  York  City. 

After  the  first  confusion  incident  to  the  establishment  of  the  camp, 
the  Red  Cross  extended  its  field  to  include  a  visit  to  the  regimental 
hospitals,  which  were  discovered  to  be  in  great  need  of  food  and  equip- 
ment suitable  for  sick,  particularly  in  the  hospitals  of  the  infantry 
divisions.  The  assistant  agent,  Dr.  Brewer,  and  Mr.  Samuel  Parrish, 
of  Southampton,  N.  Y.,  devoted  themselves  particularly  to  daily  visits 
to  the  regiments,  and  were  able  to  materially  help  the  regimental  sur- 
geons in  their  discouraging  work,  hampered  as  they  were  by  lack  of 
medical  stores  and  equipment. 

The  auxiliary  for  the  maintenance  of  trained  nurses  sent  to  the 
camp  Mrs.  Willard,  a  dietary  expert,  who,  in  conjunction  with  the 
Massachusetts  Volunteer  Aid  Association,  and  with  the  assistance  of 
Dr.  Prescott,  established  diet  kitchens  in  the  various  hospitals,  and 
supplied  the  patients  with  such  satisfactory  diet  that  the  government 
agreed  to  pay  the  expense  of  this  part  of  the  work. 

Another  branch  of  work  was  carried  on  by  the  Red  Cross  and 
which  appealed  particularly  to  the  sick,  which  was  an  attempt  made  to 
answer,  each  day,  inquiries  from  all  parts  of  the  country  concerning  men 
from  whom  their  relatives  and  friends  had  heard  nothing  perhaps  since 
the  army  left  Cuba. 

Another  division  of  the  work  was  that  concerning  the  feeding  of 
the  sick  and  hungry  men  arriving  on  the  transports.  Dr.  Magruder, 
24 


430  THE    RED    CROSS. 

the  chief  quarantine  officer,  gave  much  of  his  time  to  this  part  of  the 
service,  carrying  continually  in  his  boats  stores  of  Red  Cross  provisions 
and  delicacies  with  which  he  supplied  those  ships  that  were  in  quaran- 
tine and  suffering  most  from  lack  of  food.  At  the  quarantine  dock, 
where  the  sick  men  were  landed.  Captain  Guilfoyle  of  the  Ninth  Cavalry 
rendered  most  efficient  service  in  helping  the  sick,  while  at  the  same 
time  enforcing  the  quarantine  regulations. 

At  the  railroad  dock  an  important  part  of  this  work  was  carried  on. 
There  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Valentine  Mott  were  stationed  day  after  day  as 
the  transports  unloaded  their  men.  Captain  Edwards,  of  the  First 
United  States  Cavalry,  had  already  volunteered  to  aid  and,  by  order  of 
Major-General  Young,  he  was  permitted  to  have  his  men  assist.  Every 
regiment  that  landed  stacked  arms,  and  in  single  file  passed  by  a  tent, 
erected  by  the  military  officials,  where  each  man  was  given  a  glass  of 
milk,  or  a  cup  of  beef  tea,  and  in  some  instances  the  men  volunteered 
the  statement  that  they  were  too  weak  to  have  marched  to  the  hospital, 
and  could  have  gone  no  further  but  for  this  friendly  help  at  the  dock. 

In  the  meantime,  at  the  railway  station,  the  men  going  on  sick 
furlough  frequently  collapsed  just  before  the  departure  of  the  train,  or 
became  faint  through  want  of  food.  Here  the  Red  Cross  arranged 
that  every  sick  man  should  be  supplied  with  milk,  and,  where  it  was 
necessary,  given  a  few  ounces  of  whiskej^  so  as  to  enable  him  to  con- 
tinue his  journey.  The  increasing  number  of  furloughed  men  required 
the  establishment  of  an  emergency  hospital  near  the  railway  station, 
and  this  was  installed  in  two  tents  erected  for  the  Red  Cross  by  the 
army  officers. 

These  tents  at  times  sheltered  for  the  night  as  many  as  twenty 
sick  men  who  were  unable  to  catch  the  train,  and  who  would  otherwise 
have  been  obliged  to  .sit  up  in  the  station  until  morning.  This  work,  and 
the  emergency  hospital,  were  under  the  charge  of  Miss  Martha  Draper. 

Owing  to  the  cheerful  recognition  given  to  the  Red  Cross,  when 
the  camp  was  first  opened,  due  to  the  courtesy  of  Major-General 
Young,  the  Red  Cross  was  able  to  enter  into  a  far  broader  sphere  of 
usefulness  than  would  otherwise  have  been  possible.  We  are  also 
particularly  indebted  to  Captain  Chase,  of  the  Third  Cavalry,  Captain 
Guilfoyle,  of  the  Ninth  Cavalry,  and  Captain  Fuller,  of  the  First 
Cavalry,  for  their  constant  endeavors  to  aid  the  representatives  of  the 
Red  Cross  in  carrying  out  their  work  of  supplementing  the  efforts  of 
the  government,  to  relieve  the  suffering  and  in  ministering  to  the 
comfort  of  the  men  and  officers  of  the  Fifth  Army  Corps. 


THE   PACIFIC   COAST. 


THE  PACIFIC  COAST. 


The  States  of  the  Pacific  coast,  Washington,  Oregon,  California 
Nevada  and  others,  have  taken  a  very  prominent  part  in  the  rehef 
work  during  the  war,  under  the  Red  Cross.  It  is  yet  too  soon  to  write 
the  story  of  the  great  service  they  have  rendered,  for  the  work  still 
continues  and  only  partial  reports  are  at  hand.  In  the  latter  part  of 
June  the  following  letter  was  received  by  the  chairman  of  the  executive 
committee  of  the  Red  Cross,  from  Mrs.  ly.  L.  Dunbar,  .secretary  of  the 
Red  Cross  of  San  Francisco  : 


Dear  Sir  : — Referring  to  ni}'  letter  ot  a  few  days  since,  I  enclose  herewith 
summary  of  the  Red  Cross  work  in  California  to  date,  which  I  trust  will  prove  of 
interest  to  you. 

You  will  note  that  there  has  been  a  generous  response  by  the  citizens  of 
California  to  the  call  for  funds  with  which  to  establish  the  work  of  the  Red  Cross. 

This  society  seems  to  have  sprung  into  life  fully  equipped  for  any  emergency. 
Committees  have  been  formed.  Ten  to  twelve  thousand  dollars  on  hand  availabl^ 
for  further  use  ;  .soldiers  welcomed  on  arrival  with  friendly  words  and  good  cheer; 
none  have  left  the  port  of  entry  for  their  long  march  to  the  camping  ground 
without  a  good  breakfast  furnished  by  the  Red  Cross  ;  further  comforts  provided 
while  in  camp,  atid  physical  welfare  carefully  looked  after. 

Without  working  on  constitutional  lines,  not  having  to  this  date  received 
details  of  the  plan  of  operation  as  carried  out  under  the  rules  or  regulations  of  the 
American  National  Red  Cross,  we  have  adopted  common  sense  methods  as  seem 
proper  in  war  times,  or  as  would  suggest  themselves  in  case  of  any  great  public 
calamity,  not  standing  on  the  order  of  doing,  but  doing  as  occasion  seems  to 
require. 

The  primarj'  movement  toward  organization  was  the  result  of  a  desire  to 
equip  our  National  Guard  to  a  war  footing,  it  having  been  pointed  out  to  a  few 
leaders  in  charitable  and  patriotic  work  after  the  first  call  for  troops  that  the  need 
existed  for  medical  supplies  and  surgical  appliances  in  the  National  Guard  to 
properly  outfit  them  to  meet  all  contingencies.  At  that  time  they  were  not  aware 
that  the  Spaniards  were  so  poor  at  target  practice  as  they  proved  to  be  at  Manila. 
While  it  is  the  province  of  the  State  to  supply  above  needs,  the  Legislature  was 
not  in  .session,  time  was  limited,  ships  for  Manila  were  soon  to  sail,  therefore  it 
seemed  proper  not  to  wait  on  uncertain  legislation,  and  it  was  resolved  and  inmie- 
diately  made  cficctive  to  supply  above  needs  which  was  done,  involving  the  expen- 
diture of  three  thousand  dollars. 

Referring  to  the  minutes  of  the  Red  Cross  Society  of  San  Francisco,  we  find  a 
communication  was  forwarded  to  Washington,  placing  all  resources  at  the  service 
of  the  government.     The  supplies  for  the  National  Guard,  mentioned  above,  were 


433  THK    RED   CROSS. 

purchased  under  the  direction  of  Surgeon-General  Hopkins,  National  Guard  of 
California.  As  the  movement  enlarged  and  we  learned  the  intention  to  concentrate 
large  bodies  of  troops  from  all  over  the  United  States,  our  work  expanded.  The 
government  was  inadequately  prepared  to  take  care  of  so  many  troops  on  the 
coast  and  for  some  time  after  their  arrival,  to  prevent  positive  suffering,  the  Red 
Cross  Society  by  and  with  the  consent  of  the  United  States  commanding  officers, 
supplied  any  and  everything  that  seemed  to  be  needed  by  I'le  soldiers  for  their 
health  and  comfort.  All  of  the  ladies  connected  with  the  society  vied  with  each 
other  in  giving  their  whole  time  and  attention  to  the  work,  and  the  number  of 
letters  that  have  since  been  received  by  the  society  from  the  soldiers  is  the  best 
evidence  of  the  appreciation  of  the  manner  in  which  this  work  has  been  done. 
We  erected  a  Red  Cross  hospital  tent,  supplied  trained  nurses,  medical  supplies, 
etc.,  and  from  that  day  to  this  the  tent  has  been  occupied  by  those  in  need  of 
medical  attention. 

The  matter  of  sending  an  expedition  to  the  Philippines  was  discussed,  but  as 
we  got  along  in  our  work  we  found  to  do  effective  work  in  this  connection  it  was 
necessary  to  have  the  authority  of  the  government  through  the  American  National 
Red  Cross,  and  my  previous  letter  upon  this  subject  explains  in  detail  our  views  in 
regard  to  this  expedition.  This  will  remain  in  statu  quo  until  we  hear  further  from 
you. 

We  furnished  twenty  thousand  bandages  to  the  troops,  made  after  patterns 
given  to  us  by  the  army  officers.  We  arranged  with  several  of  the  hospitals  here 
to  receive  and  care  for  very  sick  men,  and  they  have  been  generous  in  this  respect. 
The  French  hospital  has  been  very  kind.  That  you  may  see  the  scope  of  our  work, 
we  have  the  following  committees  at  work  harmoniously  under  the  intelligent 
direction  of  a  most  efficient  chairman,  aided  by  the  noble  work  on  the  part  of  their 
assistants:  Hospital  Committee,  Finance  Committee.Nursing  Committee,  Subscrip- 
tion Committee,  Society  Badge  Committee,  Identification  Medal  Committee, 
Printing,  Entertainments,  Hospitality,  Press,  Information.  Auditing,  Stores,  Am- 
bulance, Schools,  Clubs.  From  this  you  will  see  that  the  field  has  been  very  com- 
prehensively covered,  and  as  a  sample  of  the  work  of  each  committee,  I  enclose 
herewith  the  report  of  the  Nursing  Committee,  from  which  you  can  judge  the 
nature  of  the  work  and  how  it  is  conducted  by  each  committee,  and  I  trust  that 
this  will  give  you  the  information  required  to  judge  what  has  been  done  here,  and 
we  would  be  glad  to  receive  such  suggestions  from  you  in  reference  to  this  matter 
as  you,  from  your  large  experience,  may  find  necessary  to  make. 

We  hope  that  your  representative  will  visit  San  Francisco  to  confer  with  the 
State  Association.     It  seems  to  us  necessary. 

In  response  to  this  appeal  it  was  decided  to  send  a  representative 
of  the  American  National  Red  Cross  to  confer  with  the  proposed 
societies  of  the  Pacific  Coast,  to  acquaint  them  with  the  rules  govern- 
ing the  Red  Cross  in  time  of  war.  to  explain  the  relationship  that  exists 
between  such  societies  and  the  national  body,  and  to  accord  to  them 
official  recognition,  so  that  they  might  proceed  as  regular  auxiliaries 
of  the  Red  Cross. 


THE   RED   CROSS   OF   CALIFORNIA.  433 


THE  RED  CROSS  OF  CALIFORNIA. 

The  Red  Cross  of  California  has,  perhaps,  been  the  most  promi- 
nent in  war  relief  on  the  coast,  and  in  the  islands  of  the  Pacific.  To 
add  to  the  comforts  of  the  men,  and  to  assist  in  the  care  of  the  sick 
and  wounded,  the  people  of  the  State  of  California  have  contributed, 
and  expended  through  their  own  auxiliaries  of  the  Red  Cross,  over 
one  hundred  thousand  dollars.  I  here  insert,  as  an  example  of  the 
work  done  by  the  people  of  the  Pacific  Coast,  the  report  of  one  of  the 
leading  central  State  organizations,  the  California  Red  Cross: 

The  beginning  of  Red  Cross  organization  and  work  in  California 
can  best  be  told  in  the  reports  of  the  San  Francisco,  Oakland,  Berkeley 
and  other  societies,  as  they  existed  some  little  time  before  the  State 
Association  was  formed.  In  less  than  one  month  after  the  organization 
of  the  San  Francisco  Red  Cross,  the  necessity  for  a  central  organization 
through  which  the  many  societies  forming  throughout  the  State  could 
work  intelligently,  became  apparent.  All  were  desirous  of  doing 
something  to  aid  the  "  Boys  in  Blue,"  and  realizing  the  truth  of  the 
old  statement,  "  In  union  there  is  strength,"  it  was  decided  to  form  a 
State  organization,  which  all  Red  Cross  Societies  would  be  invited  to 
join.  An  advisory  council  met  on  May  16,  in  the  Occidental  Hotel, 
and  the  question  of  a  State  organization  was  thoroughly  discussed. 
On  May  25  the  council  again  met  and  final  steps  were  taken  toward 
organizing  a  State  Association.  It  was  resolved  that  the  governing 
body  of  the  association  should  be  an  executive  board,  consisting  of 
fifteen  members,  six  of  whom  should  be  from  San  Francisco,  four  from 
Alameda  County  and  five  from  the  State  at  large,  and  that  the  head- 
quarters should  be  in  San  Francisco. 

Pursuant  to  this  resolution  the  following  were  elected  an  execu- 
tive board:  Mrs.  W.  B.  Harrington,  Mrs.  W.  R.  Smedberg,  Mrs.  J. 
F.  Merrill,  Mrs.  E.  R.  Dimond,  Mrs.  L.  L.  Dunbar,  of  San  Francisco; 
Mrs.  J.  M.  Griffith,  of  Los  Angeles;  Mrs.  Granville  Abbott  and  Mr. 
F.  B.  Ginn,  of  Oakland;  Mrs.  G.  \V.  Haight,  of  Berkeley;  Mrs.  S.  A. 
O'Neill,  of  Alameda;  Mrs.  A.  Elkuss,  of  Sacramento,  and  Mrs.  W. 
Baker,  of  Marin  County;  leaving  two  vacancies,  which  were  later 
filled  by  Mrs.  S.  F.  Lieb,  of  San  Jose,  and  Mrs.  D.  H.  Webster,  of 
Fresno.  Several  changes  have  occurred  in  the  board  since  its  forma- 
tion.     Mrs.  Merrill,  having  been  elected  President  of  the  San  Francisco 


434  THE   RED   CROSS. 

Society,  resigned  from  the  State  Board,  and  Mr.  Adolph  Mack  was 
elected  to  fill  the  vacancy  thus  caused,  Mrs.  Granville  Abbott  and  Mr. 
Ginn,  of  the  Oakland  Society,  resigned,  their  successors  being  Mrs.  O. 
F.  Long  and  Mrs.  J.  G.  Lemmon.  Mrs.  Haight,  of  the  Berkeley 
Society,  was  succeeded  by  Mrs.  Warring  Wilkinson,  and  Mrs.  Louis 
Weinman  was  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy  created  by  the  resignation  of 
Mrs.  E.  R.  Dimond.  The  officers  of  the  board  are  Mrs.  W.  B.  Har- 
rington, president;  Mrs.  J.  M.  Griffith,  vice-president;  Mrs.  L.  L. 
Dunbar,  secretary;  William  E.  Brown,  treasurer,  and  Mrs.  E.  R. 
Dimond,  assistant  treasurer. 

Later  the  positions  of  second  and  third  vice-presidents  were  created 
and  Mrs.  Long  was  elected  second  vice-president  and  Mrs.  Elkus  third 
vice-president.  Mrs.  Louis  Weinman  was  elected  corresponding  sec- 
retary. Mrs.  Dimond,  who  had  been  in  the  work  since  its  inception, 
was  compelled  to  resign  on  account  of  ill  health,  early  in  September, 
her  positions  both  as  a  member  of  the  board  and  as  assistant  treasurer, 
the  vacancies  being  filled  by  the  election  of  Mrs.  Weinman,  Miss 
Miriam  K.  Wallis  being  elected  corresponding  secretary  in  place  of 
Mrs.  Weinman.  It  was  with  sincere  regret  that  Mrs.  Dimond's  resig- 
nation was  received,  her  work,  both  as  assistant  treasurer  and  as  a 
member  of  the  board,  having  been  most  satisfactory. 

Shorth^  after  the  formation  of  the  State  Association,  through  the 
kindness  of  Mrs.  P.  A.  Hearst,  two  rooms  were  given  us  rent  free  in 
the  Examiner  Building  for  headquarters.  We  owe  a  very  large  debt 
of  gratitude  to  Mrs.  Hearst,  and  take  this  occasion  to  thank  her  most 
sincerely  for  her  kindness.  Since  its  organization  the  executive 
board  has  held  twenty-three  meetings,  besides  these  there  have  been 
two  meetings  of  the  association. 

One  of  the  first  steps  taken  by  the  board  was  to  open  a  corre- 
spondence with  the  American  National  Red  Cross,  with  a  view  to 
becoming  an  auxiliary  to  the  parent  organization,  and  also  to  gain 
official  information  in  regard  to  the  work  of  the  Red  Cross. 

While  awaiting  a  reply  to  our  communication  a  constitution  was 
framed  and  adopted.  A  circular  letter  was  prepared,  giving  informa- 
tion in  regard  to  the  formation  of  auxiliary  societies,  the  conditions  of 
membership  in  the  State  Association  and  other  matters  of  detail.  This 
circular  letter,  the  constitutions  of  the  State  Association  and  the  San 
Francisco  Red  Cross,  and  a  form  of  constitution  for  local  -societies  were 
printed  in  pamphlet  form  and  sent  to  all  Red  Cross  .societies  through- 
out the  State,    also   to  societies  in   Nevada,  Oregon,   Idaho,   Dakota, 


THE   RED   CRCXSvS   OK   CALIFORNIA.  435 

Nebraska,  Kansas  and  Iowa.  Applications  for  membership  were  rap- 
idly received  until  we  had  enrolled  loi  auxiliary  societies.  Besides 
these  there  are  a  number  of  Red  Cross  societies  not  enrolled  which 
have  aided  us  with  both  money  and  supplies.  A  copy  of  the  pamphlet, 
together  with  a  detailed  statement  of  the  work  of  the  Red  Cross  of 
California,  was  sent  to  Mr.  Stephen  E.  Barton,  vice-president  of  the 
American  National  Red  Cross,  and  soon  after  a  response  was  received, 
expressing  pleasure  at  what  had  been  done  and  promising  that  a  dele- 
gate should  be  sent  to  inspect  our  work  and  advise  in  organizing. 

Judge  Joseph  Sheldon,  the  promised  delegate,  arrived  about  the 
middle  of  July;  he  informed  himself  fully  as  to  what  had  been  done; 
expressed  his  surprise  that  without  definite  knowledge  of  the  work  of 
the  American  National  Red  Cross,  we  had  planned  our  work  so  closely  on 
its  lines.  Being  satisfied  with  the  work,  Judge  Sheldon  recognized 
California  Red  Cross  State  Association  as  an  auxiliary  to  the  American 
National  Red  Cross.  Leaving  each  auxiliary  to  tell  its  own  story  of 
the  work  it  has  done,  we  shall  give  an  account  of  our  own  stewardship. 

With  the  first  expedition,  two  finely  trained  nurses,  Messrs.  Waage 
and  Lewis,  were  sent  by  the  San  Francisco  Red  Cross  to  Manila.  The 
:5plendid  work  of  these  men,  who  gave  up  lucrative  positions,  and 
volunteered  their  services,  has  been  told  over  and  over  again  in  letters 
received  from  both  officers  and  men.  Following  the  formation  of  the 
State  Association,  it  was  decided  that  it  should  take  charge  of  the 
nurses,  and  Mrs.  Wendell  Easton,  chairman  of  the  Committee  on 
Nurses,  transferred  her  work  to  the  State  Society.  Through  the 
efforts  of  Mrs.  Easton,  aided  by  Dr.  Beverly  Cole,  a  course  of  lectures 
and  clinics  was  arranged.  Fifty  or  sixty  enthusiastic  men  and  women 
were  in  daily  attendance  on  these  lectures.  Drs.  Cole,  Kugeler, 
McCone,  Rixford,  Stafford,  Somers  and  Weill  gave  much  of  their 
valuable  time  to  this  work,  and  aided  Mrs.  Easton  greatly.  The 
sincere  thanks  of  the  society  are  again  extended  to  them. 

It  was  not  until  the  fourth  expedition  was  ordered  to  Manila  that 
an  opportunity  was  given  us  to  send  more  nurses.  Mrs.  Easton  reported 
four  good  men  available,  Dr.  F.  J.  Hart,  Leon  Crowther,  Eugene 
Rosenthal  and  O.  H.  J.  Schlott,  all  of  whom  were  engaged  at  once. 
It  being  deemed  advisable,  and  strongly  urged  by  army  surgeons,  it 
was  decided  to  establish  on  the  arrival  of  this  expedition  at  Manila  a 
Field  Hospital.  A  financial  agent,  and  a  steward  who  would  take 
charge  of  the  bulk  of  the  sup]>lies  for  such  a  hospital,  and  such  funds 
as  the  society  should  see  fit  to  place  at  his  disposal,  being  a  necessity, 


436  THE  RED  CROSS. 

Mr.  Sclilott  was  selected  to  fill  the  position.  There  beinp^  four  trans- 
port ships,  Dr.  Hart  was  assigned  to  duty  on  the  "  Puebla,"  Mr. 
Crowther  on  the  "  Peru,"  Mr.  Rosenthal  on  the  "  Pennsylvania,"  and 
Mr.  Schlott  on  the  "  Rio  Janeiro."  With  each  of  the  ships,  supplies 
were  sent  in  charg-e  of  our  nurses  for  the  use  of  the  sick  men  en  route. 

In  Mr.  Schlott's  care  was  also  sent  the  greater  portion  of  an 
equipment  for  a  Field  Hospital  of  125  beds,  and  supplies  sufficient  for 
five  or  six  months'  use.  The  balance  of  the  equipment  was  sent  on 
the  "  Scandia,"  as  there  was  not  sufficient  room  on  the  "  Rio  Janeiro." 
Five  hundred  dollars  was  placed  in  the  Hong-Kong  and  Shanghai  Bank 
to  be  drawn  upon  by  Mr.  Schlott.  We  have  received  letters  telling  of 
the  excellent  work  done  by  our  nurses  on  the  ships.  All  have  arrived 
in  Manila  and  our  Field  Hospital  has  been  established.  A  cablegram 
signed  by  Majors  McCarthy  and  Woodruff,  surgeons,  was  received 
recently  apprising  us  of  the  success  of  the  work.  The  State  Associa- 
tion had  now  sent  six  nurses  to  the  front.  Not  nearly  enough  consid- 
ering the  reports  of  sickness  among  the  troops ;  it  was  therefore 
decided,  if  possible,  to  send  more.  The  great  desire  of  the  board  was 
to  send  women  nurses  as  well  as  men. 

In  the  earlier  stages  of  our  work,  it  was  decided  to  take  initiatory 
steps  toward  securing  a  hospital  ship  for  the  Pacific  Coast,  but  in 
response  to  telegrams  sent  to  the  President,  and  Secretaries  of  War  and 
Navy,  we  were  assured  that  such  a  ship  would  be  furnished  by  the 
government,  and  the  matter  was  dropped.  In  August,  the  ships 
"Scandia"  and  "Arizona"  were  purchased  by  the  government,  to 
be  used  for  transportating  troops  and  government  hospital  supplies  to 
Manila  and  to  return  as  hospital  ships.  We  were  notified  that  we  could 
send  nurses  on  these  ships  and  steps  were  taken  at  once  to  secure  them. 
Shortly  after,  the  office  was  thrown  into  a  commotion  by  the  announce- 
ment from  General  Merriam  that  a  limited  number  of  women  nurses 
would  be  sent.  Mrs.  Easton  had  a  long  list  of  names  of  nurses  who 
had  offered  their  services  and  were  ready  to  go  at  a  moment's  notice. 
Eight  of  these  were:  Misses  Garlick,  Smythe,  Ralph,  Elsifer,  Laswell, 
Shaefer,  Mrs.  Palm,  and  Mrs.  Leman.  The  men  selected  were:  Drs. 
Ross,  Caldwell,  Dwight,  and  Messrs  lyconard.  Durst,  Kibbel,  Heyl,  and 
Tanner.  Four  were  sent  on  the  "Scandia,"  the  remaining  twelve  on 
the  "Arizona."  We  were  rejoiced  at  being  able  to  send  the  women 
nurses  and  feel  sure  they  will  do  excellent  work.  As  many  of  the 
nurses  as  are  needed  will  remain  on  duty  at  the  Field  Hospital,  the  others 
will  return  with  the  ships,  caring  for  the  sick  men  being  sent  back. 


THE  RED  CROSS  OF  CALIFORNIA.  437 

We  have  not  as  yet  had  time  to  receive  reports  from  our  a^ent  Mr. 
Schlott,  but  feel  assured  that  the  work  is  in  good  hands  and  that  our 
Field  Hospital  at  Manila  will  prove  a  blessing  to  many  a  sick  boy. 

No  provision  having  been  made  by  the  government,  for  the  care 
of  convalescent  soldiers,  who  upon  leaving  the  hospital  went  back  to 
their  tents  and  in  their  weakened  condition  in  many  instances  con- 
tracted cold  or  suffered  relapses  that  perhaps  resulted  in  death,  it  was 
decided  to  secure  a  home  where  convalescent  men  could  have  better 
care.  An  effort  was  made  to  secure  a  suitable  house  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  the  Presidio.  This  being  impossible,  upon  consultation  with 
the  military  authorities,  it  was  decided  to  build  a  house  at  the  Presidio. 
General  Miller  looked  over  the  ground  and  selected  the  most  eligible 
spot.  The  idea  of  erecting  the  home  was  taken  up  most  enthusiast- 
ically by  the  auxiliaries,  and  the  money  required  was  soon  in  the 
treasury.  Messrs  Newsom  and  Meyers  kindly  donated  plans  and  in 
three  weeks  from  the  day  of  starting,  it  was  finished.  It  is  a  one  story 
building,  containing  a  large  ward,  four  small  rooms,  dining  and  sitting 
room  combined,  kitchen,  office,  storerooms,  two  bath  rooms,  etc.  The 
large  ward  accommodates  twenty  beds,  the  fourth  room  is  used  by  the 
nurses. 

Requests  came  quickly  from  both  private  individuals  and  auxil- 
iaries to  be  allowed  to  completely  furnish  one  or  more  beds,  so  that  by 
the  time  the  building  was  finished  the  furnishings  were  ready.  Fourteen 
patients  were  admitted  the  day  of  opening  and  within  a  few  days  every 
bed  was  occupied.  It  is  a  most  inviting  and  homelike  place,  exquisitely 
neat,  with  health-giving  sunlight  pouring  in  all  day.  Trained  nurses 
are  in  attendance  night  and  day  and  everything  possible  is  done  to  bring 
back  health  and  strength.  The  happiness  of  the  boys  is  unbounded, 
and  their  expressions  of  joy  are  pathetic.  "It's  most  like  heaven" 
was  one  boy's  sentiment.  It  is  talked  of  in  the  Division  Hospital  and 
is  the  goal  to  w^hich  the  sick  men  look  forward.  Miss  McKinstry  who 
has  been  superintendent  since  the  opening,  has  done  splendid  work. 
She  received  no  compensation  whatever,  other  than  the  gratitude  of  her 
charges  and  the  high  commendation  of  the  surgeons. 

The  sincere  thanks  of  the  executive  board  are  extended  to  Miss 
McKinstry,  and  it  is  with  deep  regret  that  her  resignation,  which  she 
was  compelled  to  .send  in  because  of  illness  in  her  family,  was  accepted. 
Sixty-three  men  have  been  cared  for  in  the  home,  and  thirty-seven 
discharged.  They  are  under  the  care  of  Major  Surgeon  Matthews,  of 
the   Division   Hospital,  who  regulates  their  coming  and  going.      He 


438  THE   RKI)   CROSS. 

expresses  himself  in  most  uiuiualified  terms  of  praise  of  Miss  McKin- 
stry's  work,  and  also  of  the  Ijenefit  the  home  has  been  to  the  boys. 

All  of  the  troops  leaving  for  Manila  have  been  sr.pplied  with 
identification  medals  by  the  State  Society,  irrespective  of  the  States 
from  which  they  came.  In  several  instances  the  money  expended  for 
these  has  been  refunded  by  either  the  governor  of  the  State,  or  Red 
Cross  societies.  The  executive  board  desires  to  express  its  sincere 
appreciation  of  the  aid  it  has  received  from  its  auxiliaries.  All  have 
responded  promptly  and  royally  to  our  calls  for  aid,  which  have  only  been 
made  when  absolutely  necessary.  It  has  been  our  endeavor  to  expend 
all  money  sent  to  us  as  carefully  and  judiciously  as  possible,  consider- 
ing the  trust  placed,  in  us  as  sacred.  Our  treasurer's  report  will  show 
how  the  mone}'  has  been  expended.  Not  a  dollar  has  been  paid  for 
the  services  of  our  women  since  the  organization  of  the  association. 
We  have  been  in  the  office  from  9  a.  m.  until  5  and  6  p.  m.,  gladly 
giving  our  time  and  strength  for  the  cause. 

We  have  endeavored  in  all  our  work  not  to  transgress  army  regu- 
lations. To  that  end  our  president  has  held  manj^  conferences  with 
Generals  Merritt  and  Merriam,  as  well  as  the  surgeons  in  charge. 
They  have  aided  us  courteously  and  kindly  in  our  work,  and  have 
granted  us  all  the  privileges  possible,  for  which  we  are  most  grateful. 
We  have  also  kept  in  touch  wntli  the  American  National  Red  Cross, 
and  have  reported  our  work  fully.  ' 

The  parent  organization  has  shown  its  confidence  in  us  by  dele- 
gating the  work  in  the  Philippines  to  our  association.  Mr.  Barton,  the 
chairman  of  the  executive  board  and  vice-president  of  the  American 
National  Red  Cross,  has  referred  all  societies  in  the  West  to  us,  advis- 
ing them  to  work  through  the  California  Red  Cross.  We  have  in  our 
membership  a  society  in  Pocatello,  Idaho;  one  in  Almo,  Idaho;  one  in 
Corvallis,  Oregon;  and  one  in  Beatrice,  Nebraska. 

The  Elko  (Nevada)  Red  Cross  has  withdrawn  to  become  an  auxil- 
iary'of  their  own  State  organization.  Two  societies  have  disbanded, 
their  members  were  only  summer  residents,  who  have  returned  to  their 
city  homes.  It  is  our  earnest  desire  that  our  auxiliary  societies  will 
not  disband,  feeling  that  the  war  is  over.  We  have  assumed  certain 
obligations  in  establishing  the  Field  Hospital  at  Manila,  as  well  as  the 
Convalescent  Home  at  the  Presido,  and  our  work  cannot  cease  at  this 
time.  We  sincerely  hope  the  auxiliaries  w^ill  stand  loyally  by  us  as 
they  have  done  in  the  past. 

A  short  time  since,  an  appeal  was  made  for  a  regular  monthly 


THE   RED   CROvSvS   OF   CALlFdRNlA.  439 

contribution,  no  matter  how  small,  from  each  auxiliary.  Many  of 
the  societies  have  responded,  and  we  hope  soon  to  hear  from  others. 
We  have  certain  and  sure  expenses  to  meet  and  a  variable  income  is 
rather  a  source  of  uneasiness. 

The  thanks  of  the  executive  board  are  extended  to  the  Pacific 
Telephone  and  Telegraph  Company  for  the  free  use  of  the  telephones; 
to  the  Western  Union  Telegraph  Company  for  the  free  use  of  their 
wires  in  the  State;  to  Wells,  Fargo  &  Co.,  and  the  Southern  Pacific 
Railroad  Company  for  free  transportation  of  supplies.  Our  demands 
upon  them  have  been  heavy,  and  were  generously  granted.  To  the 
press  of  San  Francisco  we  are  most  deeply  indebted  for  the  generous 
and  courteous  treatment  we  have  received,  and  we  extend  our  sincere 
thanks.  To  the  20,000  people  of  California,  wearing  the  little  badge 
of  membership  in  the  Red  Cross,  we  extend  cordial  greetings  and 
thanks  for  their  kind  interest  in  our  work. 

We  have  been  helped  more  than  we  can  tell  by  the  kind  words 
and  expression  of  confidence  from  our  auxiliaries.  How  well  we  have 
done  our  work,  we  leave  you  to  judge. 


Consolidated  Financial  vStatement  of  the  Red  Cross  of 
California. 

While  this  statement  is  incomplete,  inasmuch  as  reports  from  all 
the  local  auxiliaries  have  not  yet  been  received,  it  illustrates  how 
universal  was  the  organization  of  the  Red  Cross  in  one  of  the  States  of 
the  far  West: 

PLACE.  RECEIPTS. 

California  Red  Cross  State  Association,  Cal.       .  122,119.74 

Red  Cross  Society,  San  Francisco,  Cal 55,408.83 

"         "            "         San  Jose,  Cal 2,274.66 

"         "           "         Lonipoc,  Cal 234.70 

"         Palo  Alto,  Cal 222.90 

"         "           "         Ventura,  Cal i93-4o 

"         "           "         San  Leandro,   Cal 73-50 

"         "•         "         Centerville,  Cal 165.90 

"         "           "         Suisun,  Cal 405.80 

"         "           "         Tulare,  Cal 55-70 

"         "           "         Sacramento,  Cal 6,373.43 

"         "            "         Mendocino,   Cal 105.10 

"          "            "         Grass  Valley,   Cal 787.10 

'*         "           "        Berkeley,  Cal 1,092.91 


EXPENSES. 

BALANCE. 

^10,472  63 

111,647.11 

33.434- '8 

21,974-65 

1.465.03 

809.63 

124.35 

110.35 

153-15 

69-75 

179-95 

1345 

69.65 

3-85 

133-55 

32.35 

154-65 

251.15 

53-45 

2.25 

2.749.75 

3.623.68 

102.29 

2.81 

57"  09 

216.01 

4«5-37 

607.54 

440 


THE   RED   CROvSS. 


PLACE. 

Red  Cross  Society,  Sausalilo,  Cal.     .    . 
"  "         Redwood  City,  Cal. 

Gait,  Cal.        .    .    . 
"  "         Auburn,  Cal.      .    . 

Santa  Cruz,  Cal.  . 
"  "         San  Diego,  Cal.    .    . 

"  "         Fresno,  Cal.        .    . 

"  "         Los  Angeles,  Cal. 

Walnut  Creek,  Cal. 

"  "         Belvedere,  Cal.     .    . 

"  "         Martinez,  Cal.  .    . 

"  "         Monterey,  Cal.     .    . 

"         Stockton,  Cal.       .    , 

San  Rafael,  Cal.  . 

Colfax,  Cal.       .    .    . 

Nevada  City,  Cal.    , 
"  "         Vacaville,  Cal.      .    , 

"  "         Calistoga,  Cal.  .    .    , 

"  "         Downieville,   Cal.     . 

Willow  Glen,  Cal.  , 
"  "         Hopeland,  Cal.     .    , 

"  "         New  Almaden,  Cal. 

"  "         Marysville,  Cal.    . 

St.  Helena,  Cal.  . 
"  "         Dixon,  Cal.    .    .    . 

"  "         Point  Arena,  Cal.     , 

♦'  "         Pasadena,  Cal.      .    . 


RKCF.If'TS. 

EXPENSES. 

BALANCE. 

$      612.30 

$     322.20 

$      290.10 

335-55 

222  63 

112.92 

6775 

59-04 

8.71 

257-67 

200.77 

56.90 

493-45 

393-60 

99-85 

410.25 

257-39 

152.86 

326.00 

292.30 

33-70 

2,586.28 

1,397.92 

1. 188.36 

171-75 

142.28 

29-47 

310.00 

192.35 

117.65 

233-31 

199.80 

33-51 

3'2.38 

177-95 

134-43 

316.10 

176.00 

140.10 

1,416.55 

750-  IQ 

666.45 

ii6.li 

50.00 

66.13 

365-05 

342-77 

22.28 

211.85 

141.26 

70.59 

168.80 

135-53 

33-27 

43.00 

25.16 

17.84 

97-35 

52-40 

44-95 

58.00 

50.05 

7-95 

45.00 

10.10 

34-90 

527.04 

400.56 

126.48 

229.05 

173-25 

55.80 

152.30 

124.17 

28.13 

48.00 

3500 

13.00 

382.14 

29S-58 

83-56 

199,806.72   156,772.25   143,034.47 


THE   RED   CROSS   OF   OREGON.  441 


THE  RED  CROSS  OF  OREGON. 

From  the  Red  Cross  of  Oregon,  comes  the  following  report, 
forwarded  by  Mrs,  Levi  Young.  In  transmitting  the  report  Mrs. 
Young  says  :  "  While  it  may  be  longer  than  desired,  still  we  feel  that 
the  eyes  of  our  country  have  been  more  particularly  turned  toward 
Cuba  and  the  relief  work  done  by  the  eastern  branches,  while  the 
Pacific  Coast  has  been  doing  ::  work  second  to  none.  Conditions  here 
make  it  difficult  to  raise  the  necessary  funds,  and  every  dollar  expended 
represents  untiring  devotion  to  the  cause  :" 

The  call  "  to  arms  "  was  still  ringing  through  the  land,  when  a 
band  of  patriotic  women  responding  to  an  appeal  for  assistance 
assembled  at  the  armory  in  Portland,  Oregon,  on  the  morning  of  April 
26,  to  offer  their  services  to  the  militarj'  board  of  the  State  in  providing 
material,  aid  and  comfort  for  the  Second  Regiment  Oregon  Volunteers. 

Colonel  O.  Summers  w^as  present  and  briefly  explained  the  object 
of  the  appeal.  He  suggested  that  as  speedily  as  possible  a  society  be 
formed  to  take  up  that  branch  of  work  which  belongs  alone  to  women 
in  time  of  war  and  consists  in  providing  the  requisites  for  a  soldier's 
welfare  not  laid  down  in  army  regulations. 

Temporary  offices  were  chosen,  and  twelve  committees  were 
appointed.  Each  committee  consisted  of  six  members,  the  chairman 
selecting  those  she  desired  as  helpers.  The  duty  of  each  committee 
was  the  personal  supervision  of  one  company  alphabetically  assigned 
to  it. 

Final  organization  was  perfected  April  27,  when  the  following 
permanent  officers  were  elected  :  Mrs.  Henry  E.  Jones,  president ; 
Mrs.  W.  A.  Buchanan,  vice-president;  Mrs.  F.  E.  Lounsbur>',  recording 
secretary  ;  Mrs.  Martin  Winch,  treasurer.  The  executive  committee, 
Mrs.  O.  Summers,  Mrs.  A.  Meier,  Mrs.  Levi  White,  Mrs.  W.  T. 
Gardner,  Mrs.  B.  E.  Miller,  Mrs.  J.  E.  Wright,  Mrs.  E.  C.  Protzman, 
Mrs.  R.  S.  Greenleaf,  Mrs.  G.  T.  Telfer  and  Mrs.  J.  M.  Ordway. 

The  name,  "Oregon  Emergenc}' Corps,"  was  adopted  and  Mrs. 
W.  A.  Buchanan,  Mrs.  Levi  Young  appointed  to  draft  a  constitution. 
This  was  presented  at  the  next  regular  meeting  and  after  a  slight 
revision,  unanimously  adopted. 


442  THE   RED   CROSS. 


Prkamble  to  Constitution. 

"  The  Oregon  Emergency  Corps  realizing  that  its  aims  and  objects 
are  far-reaching,  will  remain  a  permanent  organization  to  aid  not  only 
the  brave  Oregon  Volunteers  upon  land  or  sea,  but  assist  in  the  welfare 
of  the  wives  and  children,  many  of  whom  may  need  care  and  support 
while  their  loved  ones  are  absent. ' ' 

In  compliance  with  the  provisions  of  the  constitution,  the  following 
standing  connnittees  were  appointed  : 

Finance  Committee. — Mrs.  Charles  F.  Beebe,  Mrs.  Ben  Selling, 
Mrs.  H.  W.  Goddard. 

Auditing  Committee. — Mrs.  H.  W.  Wallace,  Mrs.  James  Jackson, 
Mrs.  J.  PVank  Watson. 

Purchasing  Committee. — Mrs.  H.  H.  Northrup,  Mrs.  Adolph 
Dekum,  Mrs.  B.  Blumauer. 

Sczving  Committee. — Mrs.  Wm.  Patterson,  Mrs.  W.  C.  Alvord, 
Mrs.  A.  E.  Rockey,  Mrs.  E.  Nollain,  Miss  T.  Rose  Goodman. 

Press  Committee. — Mrs.  Levi  Young,  Mrs.  H.  L.  Pittock,  Miss 
Ida  Loewenberg. 

Naval  Committee. — Mrs.  John  Cran,  Miss  Nina  Adams,  Miss 
Zerlina  Loewenberg,  Miss  Carrie  Flanders,  Miss  Eena  Brickel. 

A  suitable  badge  was  adopted  and  a  membership  list  opened, 
affording  all  patriotic  women  an  opportunity  to  enroll  their  names  and 
become  active  workers  of  the  corps.  Regular  meetings  were  held  at 
the  armory  once  a  week,  the  executive  committee  meeting  at  the  call 
of  the  president  as  often  as  the  business  of  the  society  required.  Being 
now  in  readiness  for  work,  the  question  arose  as  to  what  should  be 
done  and  the  most  practical  way  of  doing  it.  To  this  end  the  military 
board  was  consulted  and  valuable  suggestions  received  from  General 
Charles  F.  Beebe,  Colonel  James  Jackson,  Colonel  B.  B.  Tuttle  and 
Major  Daniel  J.  Moore,  brigade  commissary,  O.  N.  G.,  each  advising 
that  a  regimental  fund  for  the  Second  Regiment  Oregon  Volunteers  be 
raised;  also  the  making  and  purchasing  of  such  articles  for  a  soldier's 
knapsack  as  army  quartermasters  do  not  keep  in  stock. 

A  room  on  First  street  was  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  society  b}- 
Mr.  Adolph  Dekum,  and  here  the  Oregon  Emergency  Corps'  head- 
quarters opened  May  5,  1898.  Captain  R.  S.  Greenleaf,  of  Battery  A, 
kindl>-  detailed  members  of  the  company  to  decorate  and  make  attrac- 
tive the  room,  loaning  for  this  purpose  the  historic  centennial  flag 


TME   RKD   CROSS   OF   OREGON.  443 

which,  for  the  first  time  in  over  twenty  years,  passed  from  the  custody 
of  the  company.  Members  of  the  battery  reported  for  duty  each 
morning,  thus  assisting  the  committee  of  ladies  in  charge  in  many 
ways. 

A  telephone  was  put  in  by  the  Oregon  Telephone  Company,  elec- 
tric lights  supplied  by  the  General  lilectric  Company,  chairs,  tables 
and  other  furnishings  provided  by  the  business  houses  of  the  city. 
The  Singer  Machine  Company  sent  sewing  machines  for  the  use  of  the 
supply  committee  and  work  began  in  earnest.  Women  from  every 
part  of  the  community  representing  church,  club  and  society  organiza- 
tions, enrolled  their  names  and  offered  their  services  in  the  emergency 
call,  showing  more  plainly  than  words  can  describe  the  broadening 
influence  of  these  organizations  upon  the  mother  heart  of  the  land. 
Laying  aside  prejudices,  creeds  and  personal  affiliations,  they  became 
a  unit  in  this  patriotic  work.  Day  after  day  with  aching  hearts  but 
smiling  faces  they  toiled — the  membership  grew  into  the  hundreds — 
subscriptions  came  pouring  in,  the  sums  ranging  from  $100  to  the 
dimes,  nickels  and  pennies  of  the  children. 

Word  was  received  that  the  volunteers  of  Oregon  were  to  be  mob- 
ilized at  Portland  and  on  April  27,  Brigadier-General  Charles  F.  Beebe, 
O.  N.  G.,  issued  special  orders  for  the  preparation  of  a  suitable  camp 
within  the  city  limits.  The  site  .selected  was  the  Irvington  race  track, 
and  April  29  one  hundred  and  sixty-one  tents  were  pitched,  the  name, 
Camp  McKinley,  adopted  and  on  the  morning  of  April  30,  1898,  the 
first  company  arrived  and  active  camp  life  began. 

Members  of  the  different  committees  of  the  Emergency  Corps  visited 
the  camp  daily,  consulting  with  the  commanding  officers  as  to  the 
health,  comfort  and  needs  of  the  soldiers  in  their  charge.  Open  house 
was  kept  at  headquarters  for  the  volunteers  when  in  the  city  and  every- 
thing human  ingenuity  could  suggest  and  loving  hearts  contribute  to 
smooth  the  pathway  from  comfortable  civil  life  to  the  hardship  and 
discipline  of  camp  life  was  done.  This  was  not  planned  nor  worked 
out  by  one  person  but  by  united  effort  on  the  part  of  all,  whose  kindly 
ministrations  grew  out  of  a  desire  to  cheer  and  encourage  these  brave 
Oregon  volunteers — the  flower  of  the  State — who  had  given  up  home 
and  position,  offering  their  lives  to  their  country  in  the  noble  work  of 
liberating  an  oppressed  and  outraged  people. 

Meantime  circular  letters  had  been  sent  to  the  cities  and  towns 
throughout  the  State  urging  the  patriotic  women  to  form  auxiliaries  for 
the  purpose  of  raising  money  to  swell  the  regimental  fund  and  also  help  in 


444  THK    RF.D    CROSS. 

the  purchasing  of  a  flag  to  be  presented  to  the  volunteers  by  the  women 
of  the  State. 

Hood  River  was  the  fir.st  to  respond  with  Roseburg,  Pendleton, 
Corvallis,  Hillsboro,  LaFayette,  lyaGrande,  Hubbard,  Weston,  Wood- 
burn,  Astoria  and  The  Dalles,  quickly  falling  into  line.  Faithfully 
have  these  auxiliaries  assisted  in  every  line  of  work  that  it  has  been 
found  necessary  to  take  up — contributions  of  money  and  supplies  have 
been  given,  while  in  their  respective  localities  a  fund  has  been  raised 
to  assist  the  families  of  the  volunteers.  Hospital  supplies  of  caps, 
fever  belts  and  cordials  are  constantly  forwarded, "and  daily,  letters 
are  received  askirg  for  instructions. 

On  Sunday,  May  8,  a  patriotic  and  sacred  concert  was  given  at 
Camp  McKinley  to  increase  the  regimental  fund  that  the  Emergency 
Corps  were  raising  and  the  proceeds  netted  the  creditable  sum  of 
$1399- 35-  ^^^  attei:dance  of  over  ten  thousand  people  was  an 
evidence  of  their  zeal  and  desire  to  contribute  their  mite  toward  the 
object.  The  program  was  furnished  by  the  First  Regiment  Band,  Miss 
Rose  Bloch  and  Madame  Norelli.  It  was  a  scene  never  to  be  forgotten 
by  that  vast  audience  when,  at  the  close  of  the  evening  drill,  the  stars 
and  stripes  were  slowly  lowered  at  the  booming  of  the  sunset  gun,  and 
the  long  lines  of  -^-olunteers,  motionless  as  statues,  listened  as  the 
inspiring  strains  of  the  Star  Spangled  Banner  floated  upon  the  summer 
air,  while  the  setting  sun,  kissing  the  peak  of  the  distant  snow-crowned 
mountain,  .shed  its  departing  rays  like  a  heavenly  benediction  upon 
these  sons  of  valor. 

May  II,  1898,  the  urst  battalion  consisting  of  Companies  A,  B,  C, 
D,  Second  Regiment  Oregon  Volunteers,  under  command  of  Major  C. 
H.  Gantenbein,  by  order  of  the  War  Department,  left  for  San  Francisco 
and  one  week  later,  May  16,  Companies  E,  F,  G,  H,  I,  K,  I,  and  M, 
under  command  of  Colonel  O.  Summers,  broke  camp  and  proceeded  to 
join  the  others  at  the  Presidio  to  await  transportation  to  Manila. 

To  the  captains  of  these  respective  companies,  the  Oregon  Emerg- 
ency Corps  gave  one  hundred  dollars  in  gold  coin  as  an  emergency 
fund.  To  Major  M.  H.  Ellis,  commanding  regimental  .surgeon  in 
charge  of  the  Hospital  Corps,  v/as  given  one  hundred  dollars,  also  eight 
hundred  yards  of  flannel  for  bandages.  In  addition  to  this,  contribu- 
tions from  other  sources  made  the  available  amount  fully  two  thousand 
dollars. 

After  the  departure  of  the  volunteers  for  San  Francisco  the  head- 
quarters were  transferred  from  First  street  to  the  Armory  which  the 
military  board  turned  over  to  the  Emergency  Corps   for  their   use. 


THE   RED   CROSS   OF   OREGON.  447 

Here  meetings  were  held,  a  bureau  of  information  established  with  a 
committee  in  charge,  and  all  other  business  transacted. 

On  May  14  an  offer  was  made  by  the  firm  of  Lipman,  Wolfe  & 
Co.,  to  turn  over  their  department  store  to  the  Emergency  Corps  upon 
any  date  they  might  select.  The  entire  charge  of  this  establishment 
was  to  be  assumed  by  the  organization  for  one  day — ten  per  cent  of 
all  sales  to  go  to  the  regimental  fund.  To  this  generous  offer  was 
added  the  privilege  of  serving  a  mid-day  lunch  and  introducing  other 
suitable  features  that  would  help  to  swell  the  treasury.  This  offer  was 
unanimously  accepted  and  on  May  17  the  most  novel  scene  ever 
witnessed  in  -  Portland's  business  history,  was  presented.  Women, 
prominent  in  charitable  and  philanthropic  work,  leaders  of  society, 
sedate  and  stately  matrons,  assumed  control  of  the  various  depart- 
ments of  this  large  business  house,  acting  as  superintendent,  assistant 
superintendent,  cashier  and  floor  managers,  while  a  hundred  or  more 
of  Portland's  fair  daughters  from  early  morning  till  late  at  night  stood 
behind  the  counters  serving  customers.  The  store  was  gaily  decorated 
with  flags,  bunting  and  roses;  music  was  furnished  by  the  Kinross 
Orchestra  and  Columbia  Mandolin  Quartette.  Thousands  of  pur- 
chasers who  had  waited  for  this  day  surged  back  and  forth  through 
the  aisles,  crowded  stairways  and  elevators  in  their  haste  to  give  their 
ten  per  cent  to  the  soldiers'  fund.  The  East  Indian  department  which 
was  transformed  into  a  most  enticing  restaurant  proved  inadequate  to 
the  demand,  as  hundreds  whom  it  was  impossible  to  serve,  were  turned 
away.  The  result  proved  the  success  of  the  venture,  one  thousand 
dollars  being  added  to  the  treasury  of  the  society  while  the  remark 
made  by  the  senior  member  of  the  firm  that  it  had  "  been  the  happiest 
day  in  a  business  career  of  over  thirty -five  years,"  left  no  other  con- 
clusion than  that  a  twofold  blessing  follows  such  generous  deeds. 

After  the  departure  of  the  Second  Regiment  for  San  Francisco  the 
Emergency  Corps  continued  the  work  of  its  supply  department  in 
meeting  the  wants  of  the  soldiers — not  only  Oregon  volunteers  but  all 
or  any  needing  assistance.  May  23  an  appeal  was  received  from  a 
member  of  the  Red  Cross  Society  in  San  Francisco  for  fever  belts  and 
sleeping  caps  as  it  was  impossible  to  meet  the  needs  for  these  articles 
then  existing.     The  following  telegram  was  at  once  sent: 

Red  Cross  Sociktv, 

San  Francisco,  Cal. 
Greeting:— Count   on  us;    will    send    one   thousand   caps   and   one   thousand 
fever  belts.  OREGON  EMERGENCY  CORPS. 

25 


44S  THE    RED    CROSS. 

Work  was  at  once  begun  and  in  a  few  days  the  supplies  were 
shipped  to  i6  Post  street. 

The  Sewing  Committee  has  continued  its  labors,  hundreds  of 
articles  being  made  and  furnished  to  the  Second  Regiment  Engineer 
Corps  Oregon  recruits  and  Washington  volunteers,  etc. 

It  has  been  the  privilege  of  the  Oregon  Emergency  Corps  to 
entertain  all  troops  passing  through  Portland  en  route  to  different 
stations  on  the  coast.  This  was  at  first  done  at  the  Union  depot, 
where  the  soldiers  were  met  by  committees  and  served  a  substantial 
lunch,  consisting  of  coffee,  sandwiches,  cake,  fruit,  etc.  In  this  branch 
of  work  the  Flower  Mission,  composed  of  twenty  or  more  young  women, 
have  rendered  valuable  assistance  in  serving  refreshments  and  decorating 
the  trains.  Tons  of  flowers  have  been  donated  for  this  purpose  and  the 
departing  soldier  has  been  given  a  bouquet  of  Oregon  roses  in  addition 
to  his  box  of  lunch.  Frequently  has  a  letter  accompanied  by  a  box  of 
flowers  been  sent  at  the  request  of  husbands,  brothers  and  sons  to  their 
distant  homes,  and  replies  received  from  many  have  made  sweeter  the 
saying,   "  Small  service  is  true  service  while  it  lasts." 

After  the  use  of  the  armory  was  tendered  the  corps  by  the  State 
Military  Board,  the  soldiers  were  met  on  their  arrival  at  the  depot  and 
escorted  to  military  headquarters  and  lunch  served  in  the  spacious  drill 
hall.  The  freedom  of  the  building  was  extended,  the  gymnasium, 
bowling  alley,  reading  room,  etc.,  affording  rest  and  recreation  for  all. 

In  July  the  work  was  found  to  be  increasing  so  rapidly  that  it  was 
necessary  to  enlarge  the  executive  staff.  To  this  end  the  president 
made  the  following  appointments:  first  assistant,  Mrs.  Levi  Young; 
second  assistant,  Mrs.  H.  W.  Wallace;  assistant  to  treasurer,  Mrs. 
Wm.  Patterson;  assistant  for  correspondence,  Mrs.  Edmund  Nollain; 
assistant  for  recording,  Mrs,  lyischen  Miller. 

Headquarters  were  again  established  at  137  First  street,  to  meet 
the  request  of  business  men  and  others  who  wished  to  contribute  to  the 
society  and  found  the  armory  at  an  inconvenient  distance. 

An  honorary  membership  list  was  opened  with  the  fee  fixed  at  one 
dollar.  This  list  at  present  numbers  over  300,  and  among  the  named 
recorded  are  those  of  Captain  C.  E.  Clark,  of  the  battleship  "  Oregon," 
Hon.  Edward  Everett  Hale,  General  Longstreet,  Hon.  Jos.  E.  Sheldon 
and  Mrs.  James  Shafter. 

The  total  membership  of  the  society  is  1557.  Of  this  number  553 
are  members  of  auxiliary  corps,  leaving  1004  members  for  the  Portland 
organization.     The  membership  of  the  various  auxiliaries  is  as  follows: 


THE   RED   CROSvS   OF   OREGON.  445 

Weston  .    .    .    , 27  La  Grande 39 

Astoria 69  Hood  River 21 

Hillsboro 69  Hubbard 10 

Pendleton 38  Roseburg loo 

Lafayette 33  Woodburn 23 

Corvallis 51  The  Dalles 80 


Valuable  Service  has  been  rendered  the  State  of  Oregon  by  a  mem- 
ber of  the  corps,  Madame  A.  de  Fonfride  Smith,  who  has  compiled  an* 
"  Official  Roster  "  of  the  enlisted  men  for  1898.  This  has  been  entirely 
her  own  work  and  contains  a  careful  histor}'  sketch  of  each  member  of  the 
State  Military  Board,  officers  of  the  Second  Regiment  and  the  name  of 
every  volunteer.  This  little  book  is  tastefully  bound  and  illustrated  with 
views  of  Camp  McKinley  and  photographs  of  the  officers  of  each  com- 
pany. The  author  has  visited  nearly  every  town  in  the  State  from  which 
volunteers  were  recruited  circulating  the  work,  while  a  copy  has  been 
kept  for  ever}'  man  whose  name  is  recorded  on  its  pages.  Several 
thousand  copies  have  been  sold  and  the  net  proceeds  are  to  be  a  con- 
tribution to  the  treasury  of  the  Emergency  Corps.  In  work  of  this 
kind  Oregon  stands  alone,  being  the  only  State  that  is  the  fortunate 
possessor  of  so  concise  and  comprehensive  history  of  its  brave  sons. 

Up  to  the  time  of  the  departure  of  the  Oregon  recruits  for  San 
Francisco,  there  had  been  an  ample  field  for  the  labors  of  the  Oregon 
Emergency  Corps  in  its  local  work,  but  it  became  evident  that  in  order 
to  carry  out  the  promises  of  continued  care  and  attention  to  the  volun» 
teers  while  in  the  service  of  their  country;  to  assist  in  the  relief  work 
of  furnishing  supplies  for  the  hospital  ships  or  sending  nurses  to  care 
for  the  sick  at  Manila  it  was  now  necessary  to  have  governmental  pro- 
tection. This  could  only  be  obtained  through  the  agency  of  the  Red 
Cross  Society  and  the  question  of  expediency  in  this  direction  was 
considered.  On  July  23,  Judge  Joseph  vSheldon  visited  Portland  in 
the  interests  of  the  American  National  Red  Cross.  In  an  address 
before  the  Emergency  Corps  he  presented  the  advantages  resulf 
ing  to  the  relief  societies  of  the  different  States  through  co-operation 
with  this  national  body,  advising  affiliation  as  soon  as  possible.  Action 
was  deferred  on  the  part  of  the  society  till  the  next  regular  meeting  in 
order  that  members  might  be  given  an  opportunity  to  investigate  for 
themselves.  Meanwhile,  the  executive  board  held  several  conferences 
with  Judge  Sheldon  relative  to  their  power  to  continue  local  work,  and 
their  obligations  as  an  organization  to  the  national  committee.     At  a 


450 


THK  ri-:d  cross. 


regular  meeting  July  30th  the  suljject  was  resumed,  and  after  a  presen* 
lation  of  both  sides  of  the  question  a  unanimous  vote  in  favor  of  affilia- 
tion resulted.  The  name  of  the  organization  was  changed  to  the 
Oregon  Emergency  Corps  and  Red  Cross  Society  and  an  application 
made  to  the  national  committee  for  proper  recognition.  The  wisdom 
of  the  step  was  demonstrated  a  few  weeks  later  when  transportation  was 
given  by  the  government  for  two  nurses,  Dr.  Frances  Woods  and  Miss 
Lena  Killiam  for  Manila.  These  nurses  were  outfitted  and  furnished 
ftinds  by  the  Portland  Society  and  sent  forward  on  the  "Arizona  "  as 
Oregon's  representatives  in  the  relief  work  of  caring  for  her  sick  or 
suffering  volunteers. 

Reports  having  been  received  of  the  sickness  and  general  discom- 
fort of  the  Oregon  recruits  at  Camp  Merritt,  the  Society,  at  a  meeting 
held  August  6,  voted  to  send  the  president,  Mrs.  H.  E.  Jones,  and  Mrs. 
Levi  Young  to  visit  the  recruits  and  inquire  into  the  matter.  They 
proceeded  at  once  to  San  Francisco,  spending  two  weeks  in  investigat- 
ing conditions  and  doing  whatever  their  judgment  advised  to  make 
more  comfortable  their  unpleasant  surroundings.  These  recruits, 
whom  it  was  expected  would  be  sent  at  once  to  their  officers  and  regi- 
ment, turned  out  veritable  military  orphans  stranded  at  Camp  Merritt 
and  left  for  weeks  to  the  care  of  young  officers  from  other  regiments. 
Happily  this  condition  is  changed,  as  on  the  twentieth  of  August  they 
were  turned  over  to  the  command  of  an  able  and  experienced  officer, 
Major  Goodale,  of  the  Twenty -third  U.  S.  Infantry.  They  have  since 
been  moved  to  the  Presidio,  where  surroundings  are  pleasanter,  pend- 
ing orders  for  their  transportation  to  their  own  regiment  at  Manila  or 
return  to  their  homes. 

During  their  stay  in  San  Francisco  the  representatives  of  tiie 
Oregon  Emergency  Corps  and  Red  Cross  Society  were  enabled  to  look 
into  the  various  lines  of  relief  work  of  the  California  society.  Many 
courtesies  were  extended  by  the  officers  of  the  State  and  local  associa- 
tions, valuable  suggestions  were  received,  and  it  was  also  their  privilege 
to  attend  the  meeting  of  the  State  Association,  held  in  Golden  Gate 
hall,  and  listen  to  Judge  Sheldon's  able  address  upon  the  American 
National  Red  Cross. 

It  gives  us  pleasure  to  publicly  acknowledge  the  unbounded  grati- 
tude of  the  Emergency  Corps  of  Portland  for  the  many  kindnesses 
bestowed  by  the  women  of  the  California  Red  Cross  upon  the  soldiers 
from  Oregon.  First,  for  their  attention  to  the  Second  Regiment  Vol- 
unteers, who,  though  with  them  but  a  few  weeks,  were  the  recipients 


THE  RED  CROSS  OF  OREGON. 


45» 


of  many  comforts;  but  more  particularly  to  the  sick  or  afflicted  ones  of 
the  Oregon  recruits  for  whom  they  have  cared,  supplying  both  medicines 
and  delicacies  and  in  other  ways  providing  for  their  necessities. 

In  the  space  of  this  article  it  is  impossible  to  mention  in  detail  the 
many  contributions  from  patriotic  citizens  throughout  the  State  of 
Oregon.  Gifts  from  corporations,  business  houses,  independent  leagues 
and  individuals  bear  testimony  to  the  interest  all  feel  in  this  great 
relief  work,  and  their  confidence  in  the  Red  Cross  Societ)',  through 
which  their  offerings  are  dispensed.  The  press  has  been  our  staunch 
and  valued  friend,  freely  giving  editorials  and  space  to  further  the 
cause. 

There  are  no  salaried  officers,  men  and  women  having  generously 
given  their  time  from  the  first  day  of  organization  to  the  present.  It 
has  been  the  aim  of  the  officers  to  faithfully  and  conscientiously  dis- 
charge their  duties,  realizing  the  great  responsibility  and  confidence 
reposed  in  them. 

Each  month  a  carefully  prepared  report  of  the  proceedings,  receipts 
and  disbursements  of  the  society  has  been  given  the  public,  and  the 
treasurer's  report  here  appended  is  in  full  from  April  26  to  November  5. 

The  work  of  the  organization  will  be  carried  on  in  future,  as  in 
the  past,  along  every  line  which  best  serves  the  interest  of  those  for 
whose  benefit  it  was  begun.  The  treasurer's  report  shows  :  receipts, 
$7,526.03  ;  disbursements,  $6,389.54  ;  balance  on  hand,  $1,136.49. 


PANORAMA    OF   MANILA. 


452  THE   RED   CROSS. 


THE  RED  CROSS  OF  WASHINGTON   STATE. 


Extract  From  the  Official  Report. 

The  tocsin  of  war  started  in  each  community,  from  which  went 
out  the  brave  defenders,  a  desire  to  benefit  and  make  soldier  life  more 
comfortable.  As  emergency  corps,  relief  corps,  or  without  name,  the 
women  went  to  work  to  do  something  for  the  soldiers.  The  Red  Cross 
was  a  name  to  most  known  only  in  an  indefinite  way,  until  reports 
began  to  come  in  of  grand  work  done.  Not  knowing  how  to  proceed, 
groping  in  the  dark,  feeling  our  own  way  instinctively,  we  organized 
in  Taconia  and  Seattle.  The  Seattle  Red  Cross,  desiring  a  State 
organization,  called  a  convention  for  August  i6,  to  meet  at  Seattle,  and 
successfully  launched  the  Red  Cross  of  Washington. 

Of  the  work  done  much  of  it  has  not  been  reported  to  the  State 
Association,  and  even  the  reports  represent  onlj^  a  small  part  of  the  work 
done  throughout  the  State.  Had  all  reported  to  a  common  centre 
Washington  would  have  made  a  magnificent  showing.  As  it  was,  all 
contributions  have  been  sent  directly  to  the  company  each  city  was 
directly  interested  in.  Thus  much  relief  given  the  soldiers  materially 
or  financially  by  the  State  of  Washington  cannot  be  stated  here,  as 
many  of  the  emergency  corps  and  other  relief  societies  have  disbanded 
since  the  cessation  of  hostilities.  However,  the  Red  Cross  of  Wash- 
ington is  effecting  auxiliary  Red  Cross  societies  all  over  the  State,  and 
in  the  future  all  relief  work  in  this  State  will  be  under  the  insignia  of 
the  Red  Cross. 

The  Red  Cross  of  Washington  was  organized  on  August  i6,  at 
Seattle.     The  officers  are: 


Mrs.  John  B.  Allen,  President, Seattle. 

Mrs.  Chauncy  Griggs,  Vice-President Tacoma. 

Mrs.  J.  C.  Haines,  Vice-President, Seattle. 

Miss  Birdie  Beals,  Vice-President, La  Conner. 

Mrs.  Lester  S.  Wilson,  Vice-President, Walla  Walla. 

Mrs.  Virginia  K.  Haywood,  Vice-President, Spokane. 

Mrs.  John  C.  Evans,  Vice-President, New  Whatcom. 

Mrs.  Francis  Rotch,  Corresponding  Secretary,  1512  Thirteenth  ave..  Seattle, 

Miss  Helen  J.  Cowie,  Assistant  Corresponding  Secretary,     .    .    .  Seattle. 


ll 


!  \ 

(«3) 


^y^ 


A  tuji  , 


(454) 


THK    RKI)   CROSvS   OF   WAvSHINGTON.  455 

Miss  Sadie  Maynard,  Treasurer, 807  North  J  st. ,  Tacoma. 

Miss  Jessie  Seymour,  Assistaut  Treasurer,      Tacoma. 

Miss  Marie  Hewitt,  Recording  Secretary 501  North  Fourth  st.,  Tacoma. 

Mrs.  Everett  Griggs,  Assistant  Recording  Secretary Tacoma. 


Seattle  Red  Cross. 

In  answer  to  a  call  issued  by  Mrs.  J.  C.  Haines  through  the  Daily 
Press  to  all  loyal  women  of  Seattle,  there  were  gathered  in  Elks  Hall, 
June  20,  1898,  nearly  one  hundred  women,  anxious  to  organize  on 
definite  lines;  the  itnivensal  sentiment  pervailing,  that  organization 
under  the  Red  Cross  banner  would  result  in  the  most  effective  work. 
The  present  officers  are: 

Mrs.  J.  C.  Haines, President. 

Mrs.  H.  E.  Holmes, Vice-President. 

Mrs.  M^ry  M.  Miller, Second  Vice-President 

Mrs.  C.  D.  Simson, Treasurer. 

Mrs.  W.  F.  Giddings, Recording  Secretary. 

Mrs.  H.  C.  Colver,      Corresponding  Secretary. 

An  executive  committee  was  elected,  composed  of  twelve  members, 
with  the  officers  ex-officio  members  of  the  same.  The  constitution  and 
by-laws  were  drafted  and  copies  mailed  to  all  local  Red  Cross  Societies 
of  Washington.  Through  the  various  committees  much  work  has 
been  accomplished,  the  same  spirit  which  prevaded  the  organization  in 
its  infancy  having  increased  until  the  membership  now  shows  two 
hundred  and  fifty  active  members. 

It  affijrded  the  Seattle  society  great  .satisfaction  to  be  able  to  send 
to  the  national  society  a  check  for  $500.  To  the  captains  of  Companies 
B  and  D,  Washington  Volunteers,  at  San  Francisco,  was  sent  $350  to 
be  used  in  cases  of  illness  and  other  emergencies,  and  to  the  Indepen- 
dent Battalion,  Washington  Volunteers,  at  Vancouver  Barracks,  was 
sent  $100  for  similar  purposes.  In  many  instances  the  relief  committee 
has  drawn  upon  the  emergency  fund  for  the  relief  of  soldiers*  families. 
Upon  a  half  day's  notice  fifty-one  lunches  were  put  up  by  the  members 
for  a  company  of  voltmteers  on  their  way  to  San  F'ranci.so,  and  to  a 
call  from  Major  L.  R.  Dawson,  for  funds  to  purchase  food  and  milk  for 
hospital  patients  at  the  Presidio,  the  society  responded  with  $100.     To 


456  THK    RKD    CROSS. 

the  sufferers  from  the  New  Westminster  fire  was  disbursed  over  $400, 
collected  by  the  Seattle  Red  Cross  women,  and  $50  was  donated  by  the 
society  itself.  Carloads  of  food,  cots  and  needful  clothing  were  sent 
and  distributed  by  a  committee  chosen  by  the  society.  The  chairman 
of  the  Sewing  Committee  has  expended  $401.43  for  material  for  Red 
Cross  work  and  much  besides  has  been  donated  by  Seattle  merchants. 
From  this  material  have  been  made  232  denim  pillowcases,  843  flannel 
bandages,  408  eider-down  caps  and  248  housewives  (the  latter  filled 
with  necessaries  and  comforts),  besides  hospital  night  shirts,  handker- 
chiefs and  a  variety  of  different  bandages.  To  Dr.  L.  R.  Dawson, 
surgeon  of  the  First  Washington  Volunteers,  was  sent  a  dozen  boxes 
of  hospital  supplies  and  delicacies  to  be  shipped  on  the  transport 
"Ohio"  with  that  portion  of  our  troops,  and  the  society  has  also 
decided  to  take  charge  of  a  Christmas  box  to  be  sent  to  the  Washington 
Volunteers  at  Manila. 


Tacoma  Red  Cross. 

The  Tacoma  Red  Cross  was  the  first  Red  Cross  organization  in  the 
State  of  Washington,  and  has  done  most  effective  work.  The  officers 
are: 

Mrs.  Chauncy  Griggs,  president;  Mrs.  A.  B.  Bull,  first  vice- 
president;  Mrs.  G.  S.  Holmes,  second  vice-president;  Mrs.  Lincoln 
Gault,  third  vice-president;  Mr.  Chester  Thorne,  treasurer;  Mrs.W.  C. 
Wheeler,  assistant  treasurer;  Mrs.  Frank  Sharpe,  recording  secretary; 
Mrs.  H.  M.  Thomas,  corresponding  secretary. 

The  Tacoma  Red  Cross  has  400  members.  Receipts,  $684.82. 
Disbursements,  $592.08. 


Walla  Walla  Red  Cross.     . 

In  June,  1898,  a  temporary  organization  was  effected  at  Walla 
Walla,  known  as  the  Red  Cross  Aid,  with  Mrs.  J.  H.  Stockwell  as 
chairman.  This  Aid  Society  cared  for  and  entertained  229  soldiers 
passing  through,  and  forwarded  to  Company  I,  several  boxes  of 
bandages,  towels,  handkerchiefs,  etc.  On  September  21,  1898,  the 
Red  Cross  Aid  became  a  permanent  organization  under  the  name  of 
the  Walla  Walla  Red  Cross  and  the  following  officers  were  elected: 


THE    RED   CROSS   OF   WASHINGTON.  457 

Mrs.  Lester  S.  Wilson, .      President. 

Mrs.  Thomas  H.  Brents, Vice-President. 

Mrs.  D.  T.  Kyger Vice-President. 

Miss  Grace  O.  Isaaca,         .    •    " Recording  Secretary. 

Mrs.  Eugene  Boyer, Corresponding  Secretary. 

Mrs.  George  Whitehouse,      Treasurer. 


Upon  notice  that  Company  I  was  to  start  for  Manila,  the  Red  Cross 
of  Walla  Walla  forwarded  money  and  delicacies  to  the  value  of  $100. 
Since  permanent  organization,  the  membership  has  more  than  doubled, 
and  now  mnnbers  about  one  hundred  and  fifty.  Receipts,  $1,408.00. 
Disbursements,  $1,058.00. 


Spokane  Red  Cross. 

A  meeting  for  the  organization  of  a  Red  Cross  Auxiliary'  was 
called  in  Spokane,  Washington,  on  July  11,  1898.  Two  days  later  the 
final  organization  was  completed  and  officers  elected  to  serve  until  the 
annual  meeting  in  October: 

The  work  of  the  society  has  been  largely  along  the  lines  of  raising 
funds  for  supplies,  and  to  aid  the  families  of  the  two  companies  of 
volunteers,  Company  O  and  L,  both  of  which  have  gone  to  Manila. 
Supplies  of  underclothing,  socks,  towels,  soap,  combs,  sleeping  caps, 
fever  bands  and  other  necessary  articles  have  been  sent.  Five  hundred 
pounds  of  jellies  were  sent  to  Manila.  Chri.stmas  packages  have  been 
sent  to  every  man  in  the  two  companies.  The  sewing  committee  is 
steadily  at  work  on  hospital  supplies.      The  membership  is  173. 

The  present  officers  are: 


Mrs.  Virginia  K.  Hayward President. 

Mrs.  George  Turner Honorable  Vice-President 

Mrs.  F.  F.  Emery, First  Vice-President. 

Mrs.  H.  Salmorason Second  Vice-President. 

Mrs.  A.  J.  Shaw, Corresponding  Secretary. 

Mrs.  L.  J.  Birdseye Recording  Secretary. 

Mrs.  N.  W.  Durham, Treasurer. 

Receipts |595i-78 

Disbursements         . 355-07 

Cash  on  hand      I596.71 


458  Till-:  ri-:d  cross. 

To  Miss  Birdie  Beals  belongs  tlic  credit  of  organizing  the  La 
Conner  Auxiliary,  and  also  the  Bellinghani  Bay  Auxiliary  at  New 
Whatcom.  Tlie  La  Conner  Auxiliary  was  most  active  to  respond  to 
the  call  of  the  Red  Cross.  They  sent  large  boxes  of  fruits  and  jellies 
to  the  Hospital  of  the  First  Regiment  Washington  Volunteers,  made 
caps  and  bandages,  etc.,  and  contributed  towards  the  outfit  for  the 
First  Regiment  Washington  Volunteers. 

The  Bellinghani  Red  Cross  was  organized  by  Miss  Birdie  Beals, 
President  of  the  La  Conner  Auxiliary.  They  have  adopted  the  consti- 
tution and  by-laws,  selected  officers  and  are  ready  to  do  active  work. 
The  officers  are:  Mrs.  John  A.  Evans,  president;  Mrs.  E.  S.  McCord, 
vice-president;  Mrs.  S.  J.  Craft,  recording  secretary;  Mrs.  T.  J. 
Kershaw,  corresponding  secretary;  Mrs.  E.  W.  Purdy,  treasurer. 

The  report  from  the  Emergency  Corps  throughout  the  State  is 
very  incomplete,  as  many  corps  who  have  done  good  work  have  sent 
directly  to  the  Company  of  soldiers  raised  in  that  particular  town,  and 
not  reported  to  the  Red  Cross  at  all. 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  report  of  the  Emergency 
Corps: 


The  Emergency  Corps  of  the  State  of  Washington,  having  accomplished,  as 
far  as  lay  within  its  power,  the  work  for  which  it  organized,  has,  through  its 
officers  and  executive  board  and  with  the  consent  of  its  members  as  represented  at 
the  meeting  of  October  ir,  decided  to  disband. 

At  the  time  of  its  organization  the  corps  pledged  its  undivided  effort  to  the 
service  of  the  volunteers  of  the  State  of  Washington  during  the  war  between  the 
United  States  and  Spain.  That  emergency  having  happily  ended  in  victory  and 
peace,  the  society  feels  that  its  special  work  is  over.  To  those  of  its  members  who 
can  still  devote  time  and  strength  to  patriotic  and  humane  effort,  the  president  and 
the  executive  board  cordially  suggest  that  they  enroll  themselves  as  members  of 
the  Tacoma  Red  Cross  society  organized  for  permanent  effort  in  the  broad  field  of 
the  nation's  and  the  world's  need,  and  when  the  aid  and  support  that  they  can 
give  will  result  in  practical  benefit  to  any  cause  to  which  it  is  applied. 

In  closing  the  work  of  this  organization  the  officers  and  executive  board  wish 
to  make  a  public  report  of  what  has  been  accomplished  during  the  four  months  of 
its  existence.  In  absolute  harmony  the  society  has  worked  together,  members  and 
officers  alike.  The  following  record,  taken  from  the  secretary's  last  report,  speaks 
for  itself  in  proof  of  the  patriotic  energy  which  has  inspired  its  labors.  Since 
June  I  the  Eniergency  Corps  of  the  State  of  Washington  has  distributed  for  the  use 
of  state  volunteers:  Flannel  abdominal  bandages,  towels,  suits  of  pajamas,  night 
shirts,  suits  balbriggan  underwear,  hospital  pads  and  shirts,  hospital  pillow  cases, 
and  linen  handkerchiefs. 


THE    RKI)    CROSvS   OF    WASHINGTON.  459 

In  closing  the  work  of  the  orgaiii/ation  the  officers  and  executive  board  desire 
to  express  their  appreciation  of  tlie  aid  and  sympathy  extended  theni  by  the  public 
and  especially  by  the  niercliaiits  of  Tacoina,  whose  donations  of  money  and  mate- 
rial assisted  so  largely  in  what  has  l>een  accomplished.  To  the  Tacoma  Chamber  of 
Commerce  they  are  greatly  indebted  for  the  use  of  a  room  for  headquarters  and 
for  work  and  storage  rooms.  To  the  Northern  Pacific  Express  Company,  and  to 
the  Northern  Pacific  Steamship  Company,  they  owe  many  thanks  for  aid  and 
courtesy.  It  is  impossible  in  this  short  summary  to  enumerate  every  instance  of 
cordial  sympathy  and  support  which  has  cheered  and  aided  the  Emergency  Corps 
in  its  labors;  from  all  sides  encouragement  came  and  substantial  help. 

In  dissolving  the  bond  between  officers  and  members  now  remains  in  each 
heart  a  cordial   memory  of  mutual  interest  and  sympathy,  respect  and  confidence. 

To  the  press  of  Tacoma  the  Emergency  Corps  acknowledges  its  many  obliga- 
tions. To  the  press  and  citizens  of  the  State  at  large  it  is  also  indebted  for  much 
of  its  power  of  usefulness  and  would  express  an  earnest  appreciation  and  gratitude. 
The  following  letter  was  received  from  Captain  Sturges,  of  Company  C,  stationed 
at  the  Presidio,  San  Francir^co: 

To  the  Ladies  of  the  IVashington  Emergency  Corps,  Tacoina,  IVashington: 

It  is  with  a  feeling  of  almost  inexpressible  gratitude  that  the  officers  and  mem- 
bers of  Company  C,  PMrst  Washington  Volunteer  Infantry,  try  to  express  to  you 
their  warmest  and  most  lasting  thanks  for  your  kind  and  very  useful  donations  and 
your  expressions  of  sympathy  and  interest.  The  many  kindnesses  of  their  Emer- 
gency Corps  have  done  nmch  to  help  the  soldiers  more  easily  to  bear  their  many 
hardships  and  to  more  enjoy  their  few  comforts,  knowing  that  kind  hearts  are 
interested  in  their  welfare. 

We  unite  iu  wishing  you  all  the  reward  that  your  noble  work  so  justly  merits. 
Very  thankfully  yours,  E.  C.  Sturges, 

Cai>tatn  Commanding. 


^6o  THE   RED   CROSS. 


PORTO  RICO. 

The  labors  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Red  Cross  in  New 
York  were  not  confined  to  the  work  in  the  camps.  Upon  them  devolved 
the  larger  share  of  the  responsibility  for  the  administration  of  relief 
everywhere,  includirg  the  vast  correspondence  and  the  myriad  details 
that  arise  in  connection  with  the  systematic  management  of  a  work  so 
far-reaching  and  varied  as  the  auxiliary  relief  by  the  Red  Cross  in  time 
of  war. 

Outside  of  the  United  States,  the  relief  of  the  sick  and  wounded  in 
war  was  not  confined  to  Cuba  and  the  Philippines,  but  was  extended  to 
Porto  Rico.  Horace  F.  Barnes,  of  Boston,  Mass.,  was  appointed  by 
the  committee  as  the  field  agent  of  the  Red  Cross  in  Porto  Rico,  and 
taking  with  him  a  large  assortment  of  supplies,  sailed  on  the  transport 
"  Concho  "  for  Ponce  on  the  thirteenth  of  August.  Later,  General  W. 
T.  Bennett,  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  was  appointed  to  assist  Mr.  Barnes. 
All  requisitions  from  Porto  Rico  were  promptly  filled  by  the  committee 
and  the  relief  continued  so  long  as  any  necessity  for  it  remained.  Of 
the  field  work  in  Porto  Rico  the  following  report  is  made: 


Report  by  Horace  F.  Barnes. 

Red  Cross  relief  work  for  Porto  Rico  began  with  the  arrival  of  a 
detachment  of  female  nurses  before  the  American  and  Spanish  armies 
had  ceased  hostilities.  These  nurses,  however,  were  ordered  back  to 
the  States  at  once  as  attendants  for  returning  sick  and  wounded 
soldiers.  On  the  tenth  of  August  the  Executive  Committee  commis- 
sioned me  as  the  Red  Cross  field  agent  for  Porto  Rico,  and  put  me  in 
charge  of  a  cargo  of  relief  supplies  then  on  the  steamship  "  Concho," 
which  sailed  from  New  York  on  August  13. 

With  the  aid  of  a  good  military  map  of  the  island,  and  of  informa- 
tion obtained  before  sailing  as  to  the  location  of  the  different  divisions 
of  the  army,  during  the  voyage  the  line  of  Red  Cross  work  was  deter- 
mined. The  army  was  in  three  divisions.  The  eastern,  under  General 
Brooke,  was  above  Guayama;  the  central,  under  General  Wilson,  was 
at  Ponce  and  vicinity;  the  western,  under  General  Schwan,  was  in 
Mayaguez  and  the  neighboring  region. 


PORTO   RICO.  461 

It  seemed  to  be  the  natural  course  to  visit  these  divisions  as  soon 
as  possible,  ascertain  their  sanitary  condition,  give  supplies  as  needed 
for  the  sick,  wounded  and  convalescent,  and  then,  after  supplying  the 
American  forces,  to  visit  the  Spanish  camps  and  hospitals  and  provide 
for  them.  Afterwards  headquarters  for  stores  and  operations  should 
be  fixed  at  the  most  central  convenient  port  for  receiving  goods  from 
New  York  and  distributing  them  with  least  cost  and  difficulty  to  all 
army  stations.  The  plan  outlined  was  closely  followed,  circumstances 
making  it  easily  possible  to  do  so.  The  "  Concho  "  arrived  at  Ponce 
on  August  20. 

Two  days  afterward  the  ship  with  the  cargo  of  Red  Cross  stores 
still  unbroken  on  board,  started  for  Arroyo,  the  port  of  Guayama, 
about  thirty  miles  east  of  Ponce,  where  General  Brooke's  command 
had  its  base  of  operations.  There  a  large  selection  of  relief  supplies 
was  left  in  charge  of  Chief  Surgeon  Huidekoper,  of  the  division 
hospital  at  Guayama.  Nothing  could  have  been  more  auspicious  as 
the  beginning  of  Red  Cross  work  in  Porto  Rico  than  this  quick  and 
free  transportation  of  supplies  to  a  distant  command,  with  the  minimum 
of  labor  and  delay,  at  a  period  of  most  urgent  need. 

Returning,  the  "Concho"  reached  Ponce  again  on  the  twenty- 
fifth.  The  same  night,  on  ascertaining  that  the  steamship  "Alamo" 
was  to  proceed  the  next  day  to  Mayaguez  and  Arecibo,  I  arranged  for 
lighters  to  put  a  cargo  on  board,  to  be  divided  between  these  two  ports, 
intending  the  first  for  General  Schwan's  command,  and  the  second 
for  the  Sixth  Massachusetts,  at  Utuado,  the  latter  to  be  landed  at 
Arecibo.  The  Surgeon  of  the  Sixth  Massachusetts  was  accordingly 
notified  by  wire  to  have  wagons  sent  up  to  Arecibo  to  meet  the 
"Alamo"  on  her  arrival.  Every  thing  worked  admirably.  The 
"Alamo"  reached  Mayaguez  August  27,  and  ample  .supplies  for  the 
hospital  of  General  Schwan's  command  were  landed  at  Mayaguez,  and 
delivered  to  Dr.  Bailey  K.  Ash  ford,  surgeon  in  charge,  who  expressed 
most  cordial  and  grateful  appreciation. 

Thence  the  "Alamo"  proceeded,  August  29,  to  Arecilx),  which 
port  was  reached  on  the  same  day.  There  the  wagons  of  the  Sixth 
Massachusetts  from  Utuado  were  found  in  readiness  to  receive  the 
consignment  of  goods  brought  for  them,  which  were  put  in  charge  of 
Assistant  Surgeon  of  the  Sixth  Massachusetts,  Dr.  F.  A.  Washburn. 
At  Arecibo  was  a  strong  force  of  Spanish  troops,  having  a  military 
and  a  Red  Cross  hospital.  The  Spanish  military  commander,  the 
captain  of  the  port,  and  the  chief  surgeon  of  the  Red  Cross  hospital, 


462  THK    RED   CROSS. 

wrsonally  gave  the  kindest  attentions,  conducting  me  to  all  the 
military  quarters  and  hospitals,  yet  while  expressing  thanks  for  the 
offer  of  goods  from  the  American  Red  Cross,  they  declared  they  wen 
not  in  need,  as  was  evidently  the  case. 

On  the  same  day,  August  29,  my  visit  and  departure  having  been 
\v'ired  to  the  Spanish  Governor  General  Macias  at  San  Juan,  I  took 
train  thither,  reaching  the  capital  in  the  evening.  The  next  day  with 
an  interpreter  I  visited  General  Macias  at  his  headquarters,  and  was  most 
cordially  received,  given  the  freedom  of  the  city,  especially  including 
all  the  forts,  barracks  and  hospitals,  and  on  inquiry  allowed  if  I  chose 
to  make  any  photographs  of  the  military  works,  concerning  which  he 
said  it  did  not  matter  as  thej^  would  be  so  soon  in  the  hands  of  the 
Americans.  Five  days  were  spent  in  San  Juan.  The  forts,  barracks 
and  hospitals  of  the  Spaniards  were  visited,  but  all  need  of  American 
Red  Cross  supplies  was  courteously  disavowed,  evidently  with  truthful- 
ness, for  signs  of  want  were  nowhere  apparent.  General  Macias 
kindly  gave  me  a  pass  through  all  the  Spanish  military  guards  and  civil 
jurisdictions  under  his  command  throughout  the  island  of  Porto  Rico. 

"^Vith  this  pass  I  started  from  San  Juan  September  2  by  coach  for 
Ponce.  At  Caguas  I  was  politely  invited  by  the  German  Consul  General 
of  Porto  Rico,  Herr  Adolph  Rauschenplat,  who  had  been  traveling 
alone  in  his  coach  behind  me  from  San  Juan,  to  join  him  in  his  carriage, 
and  send  mine  back  to  San  Juan.  The  invitation  was  heartily  accepted. 
We  dined  together  at  Caye3^  On  reaching  Aibonito  while  our  relay 
of  horses  was  being  harnessed,  and  we  had  been  surrounded  by  the 
Spanish  soldiers  and  townspeople,  engaging  in  pleasant  chat  with  them, 
suddenly  the  captain  of  the  Spanish  troops  with  a  guard  appeared  and 
marched  us  unceremoniously  to  the  guardhouse.  There  we  were  chal- 
lenged, and  a  parley  ensued,  until  I  showed  my  pass  from  General  Macias. 
The  change  of  front  was  spectacular,  apologies  were  profuse,  but  I 
ended  the  affair  by  insisting  successfully  that  the  officer  sign  his  name 
to  my  pass  which  was  already  rather  heavily  overloaded  with  the  names 
of  military  and  civil  magnates,  both  Spanish  and  American. 

This  trip  was  memorable  not  only  for  the  enjoyment  of  a  ride  over 
one  of  the  best  long  roads  in  the  world,  amid  the  displays  of  all  tropical 
fruits  and  flora,  views  of  many  characteristic  people,  habitations,  cus- 
toms, and  cultivated  sections  of  the  island,  but  for  the  intelligent  and 
charming  exposition  of  everything,  together  with  discussion  of  the 
social,  political,  military  and  commercial  interests  and  problems  of 
Porto    Rico,    at    the  present  stage  of  affairs,  by  Herr  Rauschenplat, 


jB-^-^ow?      - 

^    '^ ...  :f^m 

K  ■■    ■ 

s^f'  H 

wt  # 

^W^i     : 

.  '.w^                 'Ajy                                                 ^ 

^^^^ 

M^kj^^'^^      1 

V^^        1 

<  ^ 

erf   2 

o  b 


PORTO   RICO.  465 

whose  English  speech  scarcely  betrays  his  German  vernacular  or  his 
customary  Spanish. 

Arriving  at  Ponce  on  the  evening  of  September  2,  on  the  following 
day  storage  for  Red  Cross  goods  was  secured  in  the  Custom  House  at 
the  Play  a,  or  Port  of  Ponce,  which  continued  our  only  headquarters 
during  work  in  Porto  Rico.  The  distribution  of  goods  commenced  on 
Sunday,  September  4.  The  goods  at  first  distributed  in  Ponce  were 
the  remainder  of  the  cargo  brought  on  the  "  Concho,"  hnt  left  in  charge 
of  and  lightered  off  of  the  "Concho,"  and  carefully  stored  by  kind 
agreement  in  the  Custom  House,  when  I  was  obliged  to  depart  on  the 
"  Alamo  "  for  Mayaguez  and  Arecibo  or  lose  a  most  valuable  oppor- 
tuniiy  for  distributing  stores  where  urgently  needed. 

Kvery  applicant  not  seeking  for  himself  alone  was  interrogated  as 
to  the  number  of  sick  or  convalescents  for  whom  the  goods  were  desired, 
and  informed  that  our  provisions  were  specifically  for  these  classes. 
The  amount  bestowed  was  in  view  of  the  number  of  sick  thus  reported. 
Then  on  a  sheet  of  paper  headed  by  the  date  of  application  all  articles 
were  recorded,  checked  off  when  taken,  and  the  signature  of  the  officer 
applying  was  afl&xed.  Then  my  ofl&cial  stamp  as  field  agent  was 
affixed,  and  the  paper  put  on  file  as  a  voucher.  All  goods  received  by 
steamer  came  into  the  office  under  my  personal  supervision,  and  with 
very  few  necessary  exceptions  none  went  out  without  it. 

On  September  4  the  office  work  of  the  Red  Cross  in  Porto  Rico 
was  inaugurated  with  five  representative  issues  of  stores,  which  became 
matter  of  record.  As  the  later  files  show,  the  number  rapidly  multi- 
plied and  the  office  work  was  increased  by  a  constant  procession  of 
single  applicants  for  small  things.  A  dose  of  medicine,  a  pencil,  an 
rbdominal  band,  a  comfort  bag,  something  to  read,  a  pair  of  stockings, 
a  handkerchief,  a  towel — a  little  stationery — such  applications  alone 
made  work  enough  for  one  man,  and  one  had  to  be  secured,  Corporal 
Patri..k  Syron,  who  was  detailed  from  the  First  Engineers,  and  whose 
help  was  invaluable. 

As  the  work  was  increasing  very  rapidly,  and  appeals  pouring  in 
from  all  the  camps  and  hospitals,  the  executive  committee  sent  as  my 
assistant  General  W.  T.  Bennett,  who  arrived  September  7  on  the 
"Seneca,"  which  also  brought  a  fresh  and  valuable  cargo  of  stores. 
Having  like  myself  had  army  experience  in  the  Civil  War,  General 
Bennett  easily  giasped  the  situation,  and  while  I  attended  specially  to 
the  distribution  of  goods  at  the  office,  he  gave  efficient  help  in  manag- 
ing the  outside  relations  of  the  work,  made  doubly  exacting  by  the 
26 


466  THK    RKD   CROSS. 

necessity  of  lightering  off  all  goods  from  ships,  and  transferring  them 
bj'  native  porters  to  the  headquarters,  amidst  piles  of  army  stores,  and 
a  horde  of  omnipresent  and  vigilant  thieves.  Any  lull  in  the  office 
work  was  improved  in  visiting  hospitals  and  camps,  and  noting  how 
goods  were  received  and  distributed.  By  frequent  consultation  of  the 
official  figures,  at  the  chief  surgeon's  olfice,  of  the  sick  rate  at  all 
military  stations  on  the  island,  it  was  possible  to  judge  correctly  con- 
cerning the  neediest  places  for  sending  relief,  and  also  to  judge  the 
merits  of  applications. 

The  extraordinary  amount  of  typhoid  fever  and  intestinal  diseases 
among  the  troops  was  the  object  of  thoughtful  attention.  Several 
native  physicians  and  army  surgeons  were  solicited  to  write  their 
diagnosis  and  treatment  of  these  diseases,  in  the  hope  that  their 
combined  testimonj'  may  furnish  valuable  data  for  guidance  of  physi- 
cians and  surgeons  who  may  have  charge  of  our  troops  here  in  the 
future. 

On  October  6,  Mr.  Monroe  Scott,  arrived  from  New  York  on  the 
steamship  "Chester,"  to  be  second  assistant  in  our  work.  He  was 
desirous  of  giving  personal  service  to  the  sick,  as  he  had  just  came  from 
such  work  in  the  Northern  army  hospitals.  But  the  needs  at  the 
various  hospitals  in  Porto  Rico  were  being  so  full}'  met  that  he  gave 
his  attention  to  the  varied  demands  at  the  office,  where  his  courteous 
manner  and  efficienc}^  in  detail  were  highl}^  appreciated.  Two  ambu- 
lances were  sent  to  Ponce  in  September.  They  proved  of  great  value 
in  emergency  cases  requiring  quick  transportation  to  and  from  the 
hospitals,  and  in  conveying  our  goods  for  short  distances.  It  must  be 
admitted,  however,  that  they  proved  also  a  delicate  responsibilit}-,  as 
everybody  seemed  to  regard  them  as  free  pleasure  coaches  in  which  the 
Red  Cross  was  eager  to  take  the  town  to  ride. 

A  daily  care  was  to  note  all  incoming  steamers,  to  board  them  to 
inquire  for  Red  Cross  supplies,  also  to  note  all  departing  steamers  and 
provide  that  all  sick  and  convalescents  had  Red  Cross  goods  enough 
to  insure  their  comfort  for  the  homeward  voyage.  The  chief  surgeons 
were  appealed  to  and  asked  not  to  allow  any  detachment  of  sick  men 
to  go  home  without  previously  notifying  us,  so  that  we  might  provide 
for  their  nutriment  in  supplement  to  that  provided  by  the  Government. 
It  is  proper  to  add  that  the  surgeons  going  home  in  charge  of  the  sick 
on  ships  were  all  attentive  to  their  duty  in  securing  Red  Cross  supplies 
for  their  patients.  Twelve  shipments  were  made  for  transports  carrying 
home  the  sick. 


PORTO   RICO.  467 

One  of  the  duties  of  the  office  was  to  give  first  aid  to  the  sick  and 
Injured,  Hardly  a  da)' passed  without  our  giving  many  prescriptions 
of  medicine  to  soldiers  for  intestinal  troubles,  or  first  dressing  to  men 
injured  on  the  pier  or  on  shipboard.  We  carefully  gave  antiseptic 
dressing  and  bound  up  gashed  heads  and  limbs,  and  tenderly  conveyed 
the  unfortunates  to  the  proper  hospitals  or  to  their  homes  or  ships. 

In  September  on  order  from  New  York,  we  began  to  furnish  ice 
to  hospitals  not  already  supplied.  Wc  purchased  machine-made  ice 
at  the  heavy  cost  of  forty  pesos  a  ton,  and  had  arranged  with  the 
hospitals  of  Coamo  and  Guayama,  the  only  ones  not  supplied,  to  send 
wagons  weekly  for  a  load.  For  this  work  we  were  about  to  establish 
an  ice-storage  plant,  when  a  large  cargo  furnished  by  the  Government 
arrived,  and  although  about  one  hundred  tons  soon  after  came  from 
New  York,  consigned  to  the  Red  Cross,  it  was  not  needed,  nor  an  ice- 
house for  storage,  as  the  government  supply  was  freely  furnished  to  all 
in  need,  and  was  so  large  as  to  last  till  the  Red  Cross  ice,  though 
carefully  stored  in  a  covered  lighter,  had  entirely  melted.  Had  the 
Government  not  made  this  provision,  a  free  grant  of  site,  lumber  and 
labor  for  an  ice  plant  already  secured,  would  have  been  utilized.  The 
same  cablegram  authorizing  an  ice  supply  also  authorized  the  supply 
of  milk  as  needed.  On  inquir}'  it  was  found  that  all  of  the  hospitals 
were  already  well  provided  with  this  article.  In  case  of  the  hospital 
for  the  First  Engineers,  however,  the  ingenious  surgeon.  Dr.  Proben, 
had  opened  negotiations  for  a  cow,  and  we  promptly  insisted  on  paying 
for  it,  but  were  allowed  to  pledge  only  one-half  its  cost,  which  we 
most  cheei  fully  did. 

Twelve  hospital  tents,  14x14  feet  each,  were  furnished  by  the 
Red  Cross,  of  which  one  was  loaned  to  the  Engineers'  hospital, 
one  to  the  Sixth  Massachusetts  hospital,  and  ten  were  located,  under 
medical  supervision,  beneath  a  row  of  cocoanut  trees,  for  the  accommo- 
dation of  convalescents  awaiting  transportation.  A  suitable  trench  was 
dug.  flooring  put  in  all  the  tents  by  the  engineers,  and  straw  was  fur- 
nished for  bedding  by  the  quartermaster.  This  camp  was  named 
"  Camp  Barton." 

Some  of  the  incidental  work  of  the  Red  Cross  was  to  answer  letters 
of  inquiry  concerning  missing  soldiers;  to  guide  numerous  strangers 
arriving  at  the  port;  to  get  stragglers  of  the  army  into  their  proper 
quarters:  to  help  soldiers  in  various  conditions  of  distress;  always  to  be 
ready  with  a  kind  look  and  friendly  hand,  as  proper  representatives  of 
a  generous  public,  desiring   to   show  full    appreciation   of  these  who 


468  THE   RIvD   CROSS. 

upheld  the  nation's  honor  with  the  offering  of  their  lives.  Every  man 
on  the  staff  of  the  Red  Cross  in  Porto  Rico,  could  he  have  embodied 
his  real  preferences,  vyould  have  spent  his  whole  time  personally  with 
the  boys  in  their  tents  or  hospitals.  It  was  a  real  regret  to  us  all  that 
from  early  morning  until  dark  we  had  to  be  hard  at  work,  with  few 
exceptions,  in  dealing  out  stores  and  attending  to  duties  at  head- 
quarters. 

But  as  we  were  serving,  not  a  campaigning  army,  but  garrisons 
after  hostilities  had  ceased,  and  the  supply  of  surgeons  and  nurses  was 
ample,  there  was  no  need  of  personal  field  service  on  our  part.  A 
tribute  of  respect  and  praise  is  demanded  in  honor  of  the  army  officials 
of  Porto  Rico,  especially  those  of  the  southern  district,  so  wisely 
administered  by  General  Guy  V.  Henry,  now  Governor  of  Porto  Rico. 
The  different  departments  were  ably  conducted.  Their  relations  were 
entirely  cordial.  The  diflBcult  problems  presenting  themselves  were 
handled  in  a  manful  waj\ 

The  Red  Cross  carefully  avoided  the  role  of  critic  or  censor,  and 
sought  to  conform  to  the  wishes  of  commanders  and  surgeons,  while 
watchfully  providing  for  the  needs  of  the  sick,  as  ascertained  b}' 
independent  investigation.  It  never  had  occasion  to  make  a  protest, 
nor  acted  as  a  meddler,  but  attended  strictly  to  its  own  business,  and 
kept  in  its  own  place  as  an  army  auxiliarj-,  and  servant  of  the  sick. 
Hence  from  the  first  of  its  work  the  military,  naval,  surgical,  medical, 
commissary  and  quartermaster's  departments  treated  it  as  a  part  of 
their  own  common  fraternity,  freely  granting  all  its  requests,  subjecting 
it  to  no  restrictions,  and  cordially  accepting  and  forwarding  its  benefi- 
cent operations.  We  received  every  advantage  gratuitously.  Not  in 
a  single  instance  were  our  requests  denied.  By  this  cordial  under- 
standing many  hundreds  of  dollars  of  expense  were  saved  to  the 
Red  Cross, 

Indications  of  the  heavy  sick  rate  in  the  army  of  Porto  Rico  may 
be  found  in  the  following  data,  gathered  at  the  time  from  official 
sources  :  In  August  the  surgeon  in  charge  at  Mayaguez  reported  that 
fully  7,5  per  cent  of  the  troops  stationed  there  were  sick  in  hospitals, 
or  in  quarters,  or  unfit  for  duty,  September  10  there  were  in  the 
district  of  Ponce  over  1400  sick,  including  350  t^^phoid  cases,  600 
malarial,  350  intestinal  diseases.  September  20  the  official  report 
shows  750  .sick  in  Ponce,  799  in  Coamo,  336  in  Mayaguez,  264  in 
Utuado,  22  in  Guanica,  and  328  in  Guayama,  September  28th  the 
Sixteenth  Pennsylvania  Infantry,  at  Coamo.  reoorted  625  sick.     One 


PORTO    RICO.  469 

company  had  no  officers  on  duty,  all  being  sick.  October  3  there 
were  125  sick  in  Ponce,  60  in  Guayama,  65  in  Utuado,  40  in  Mayaguez, 
and  491  at  Coanio.  Total  in  these  places,  781.  This  great  reduction 
in  the  number  of  reported  sick  was  due  to  large  shipments  of  patients 
to  the  States.  October  20  there  were  747  sick  in  the  general  hospital 
in  Ponce,  120  in  that  at  Mayaguez,  and  125  in  that  at  Guayama. 

On  November  10,  603  men  were  reported  sick  in  the  district  of 
Ponce.  The  data  above  given  will  best  be  understood  if  it  is  remem- 
bered that  they  comprise  for  the  most  part  only  hospital  inmates. 
The  sick  in  quarters  were  not  generally  reported,  though  they  fully 
equaled  in  number  those  in  hospitals.  Again  it  should  be  remembered 
that  those  unfit  for  duty  equaled  in  number  both  of  the  other  two 
classes.  In  brief,  during  September,  October  and  November,  not  more 
than  one-half  of  the  army  was  available  for  duty.  In  September  a 
captain  of  engineers  informed  me  that  in  the  morning  he  had  only 
four  men  report  for  duty. 

Several  obvious  causes  operated  to  produce  the  great  sick  rate. 
The  effects  of  exposures  and  hardships  before  reaching  Porto  Rico,  the 
nature  of  the  food,  malarious  influences,  native  fruits,  the  heavy  rains, 
and  the  excessive  heat,  were  potent  factors  in  producing  the  general 
illness.  There  was  no  invigoration  in  the  atmosphere,  its  heat  and 
humidity  being  very  depressing,  and  not  allowing  rapid  recovery  after 
prostration.  Almost  every  man  lost  heavily  in  weight,  the  amounts 
varying  from  twenty-five  to  one  hundred  pounds.  This  was  true  even 
of  those  who  were  extremely  careful  of  their  diet  and  habits.  During 
September  and  October  a  register  of  temperatures,  kept  by  Dr.  Charles 
I.  Proben,  surgeon  of  the  First  Engineers,  showed  an  average  daily 
temperature  of  82.52°  Fahrenheit,  and  in  October  80.136°  Fahren- 
heit. These  figures  give  little  suggestion  of  what  the  soldiers  had  to 
endure,  as  for  instance,  September  20  the  mercury  stood  96°  in  the 
shade  at  midday,  and  113°  in  the  .sun.  October  3  the  mercury  .stood 
at  92°  at  midday.  These  health  conditions  made  every  American  in 
Porto  Rico  a  fitting  subject  for  relief,  but  Red  Cross  supplies  were 
limited  as  far  as  practicable  to  the  sick  and  convalescent. 

The  extent  and  direction  of  our  Red  Cross  work  are  indicated 
below: 

Number  of  issues  to  twenty-four  anuy  hospitals .  150 

Number  of  issues  to  United  States  transports  returning  North  with  sick  .    .    .  12 

Number  of  issues  to  Infantry,  regiments  and  detachmeuts loi 

Number  of  issues  to  Artillery  batteries ..,.,,  34 


470  TIIK    RKI)   CROSS. 

Number  of  issues  to  Cavalry  troops 6 

Number  of  issues  lo  Officers'  messes 8 

Number  of  issues  to  Miscellaneous  parties 6i 

Total  issues 362 

These  issues  were  all  recorded,  and  vouchers  filed.  The  number 
of  issues  to  single  applicants  for  their  own  innnediate  use,  mostly 
privSte  soldiers,  were  over  1200.  Prescriptions  of  medicine  to  sick 
soldiers,  applying  at  the  office,  about  300.  Wounds  dressed  at  office, 
in  first  aid  to  wounded  men,  about  30.  Sick  carried  in  ambulances  of 
Red  Cross,  50. 

The  camps  and  hospitals  served  by  the  Red  Cross  were  scattered 
all  over  the  island,  some  accessible  only  through  difficult  mountain 
passes,  bad  roads,  or  by  long  sea  voyages,  necessitating  weekly  consul- 
tation of  the  chief  surgeons,  sick  reports  from  all  military  stations,  and 
careful  sttid}'^  of  the  best  routes  and  means  of  transportation. 

Three  months'  experience  lead  one  to  say  that  if  a  man  knows  how 
to  keep  a  hotel,  run  a  restaurant,  and  a  refreshment  stand;  if  he  be  a 
good  grocer,  dry  goodsman,  apothecary,  financier,  accountant,  doctor, 
and  linguist;  if  he  have  the  strength  of  a  Samson,  the  patience  of  a 
Job,  and  the  cheerfulness  of  the  morning  lark;  if  he  have  the  power  to 
see  much  and  say  little,  to  sweat  and  not  swear,  to  behold  limitless 
suffering  and  be  fair  to  all;  if  he  is  pachydermous  to  the  shafts  of 
criticism,  diplomat  enough  to  secure  universal  favor,  and  worthy  to 
hold  it  by  solid  merit,  let  him  try  a  Field  Agency  of  the  Red  Cross  with 
confidence,  for  in  such  service  he  will  need  all  of  these  qualities  in 
abundance.  And  yet,  in  the  midst  of  it  all,  he  will  daily  hear  the 
sweetest  words  of  gratitude,  and  feel  that  he  is  doing  the  most  self- 
rewarding  work  of  bis  whole  life. 


SHIPMENTS  BY  TRANSPORTS. 

By  the  coivrtesy  of  the  War  Department,  the  Executive  Committee 
were  enabled  lo  make  several  shipments,  both  to  Cuba  and  to  Porto 
Rico,  on  the  United  States  transports.  With  the  exception  of  the 
first  cargo  by  the  "Port  Victor,"  the  larger  part  of  these  supplies 
which  should  properly  have  been  consigned  to  the  Red.  Cross  at  the 
front,  were  sent  direct  to  the  commanding  officers,  or  to  the  officers 


SHIPMENTS  liY  TKANSl'OKTS.  471 

of  the  medical  department  of  the  arm}',  upon  request.     The  consign- 
ment of  the  "  Port  Victor,"  although  received  by  the  Red  Cross  and 
forwarded  to  Gibra  for  distribution,  was  afterward  taken  b}'  an  officer 
of  the  U.  S.  army  without  permission.     Among  the  shipments  were  : 
"Port  Victor,"  July  10,  to  Santiago,  800  tons  general  provisions  and 

medical  supplies. 
"New  Hamp.shire,"  July  15,  to  Santiago,  25  tons  groceries  and  hos- 
pital supplies. 
"Ohvette,"  July  18,  to  Santiago,  clothing  and  delicacies. 
"Resolute,"    July    19,    to    Santiago,    general    supplies   and   clothing. 

Value,  $2000. 
"Missouri,"  July   19,  to  Santiago,  clothing,  laundry  plant,  ice  plant, 

cots  and  delicacies. 
"Seneca,"  July  21,  to  Santiago,  clothing  for  50  men, 
"  Kanawa,"  July  22,  to  Santiago,  10  cases  of  supplies. 
"Concho,"  August  i,  to  Santiago,  supplies  for  200  men. 
"  Breakwater,"  August  6,  to  Santiago,  10  cases  general  supplies. 
"  Harvard,"  August  5,  to  Santiago,  16  cases  groceries  and  clothes. 
"  Altai,"  August  5,  to  Santiago,  96  cases  delicacies  and  clothing. 
"  Seguranca,"  August  20,  to  Santiago,  113  cases  provisions  and  soups. 
"Port  Victor,"  October  7,  to  Santiago,  115  tons  of  ice,  50  equipped 

cots. 
"Concho,"  August  [3,  to  Porto  Rico,  900  cases  general  provisions  and 

50  equipped  cots. 
"Yucatan,"  September  7,  to  Porto  Rico,  545  cases  general  provisions 

and  medical  supplies. 
"Obdam,"  September  14,  to  Porto  Rico,  387  cases  assorted  provisions 

and  2  ambulances. 
"  Chester,"  September  27,  to  Porto  Rico,  406  cases  assorted  supplies. 
"  Missouri,"  September  19,  to  Porto  Rico,  60  cases  general  supplies, 
"Berlin,"  September  20,  to  Porto  Rico,  20  barrels  ginger  ale. 
"Port   Victor,"   October   7,   to  Porto  Rico,    115   tons  of  ice  and    50 

equipped  cots,  duplicate  of  shipment  to  Santiago. 
"Panama,"    October    12,    to  Porto   Rico,    300  cases  of  groceries  and 

clothing,   50    equipped  cots   and   10 1  cases   medicine  for  General 

Wood  at  Santiago. 

Since  their  appointment  by  the  President  of  the  United  States,  the 
Central  Cuban  Relief  Committee  have  been  busily  engaged  in  carrying 
on  the  great  work  entrusted  to  them  by  the  government.  In  addition 
to  the  smaller  consignments  of  materials  sent  for  distribution   to  the 


472  THE   RED   CROvSS. 

relief  stations  in  Cuba  and  on  the  Florida  coast,  they  have  expended 
in  the  purchase  and  forwarding  of  larger  shipments  of  relief,  over  two 
hundred  thousand  dollars,  and  have  collected  in  money  and  supplies 
nearly  half  a  million.  The  latest  important  shipment  was  sent  by 
the  steamer  "  City  of  San  Antonio,"  consisting  of  an  assorted  cargo  of 
about  700  tons,  which  was  landed  at  the  port  of  Matanzas,  and  distrib- 
uted by  the  representatives  of  the  Red  Cross  in  charge  of  the  vessel. 


REPORT   OF  THE   RELIEF  COMMITTEE.  473 


THE  AMERICAN  NATIONAL  RED  CROSS  RELIEF  COMMITTEE 
OF  NEW  YORK. 

The  origin  of  this  great  volunteer  emergency  committee  has 
already  been  explained  in  these  pages.  But  the  story  of  their  wonder- 
ful work  can  never  be  fully  told.  With  their  co-operation  much  suffer- 
ing has  been  prevented  or  relieved,  and  many  lives  have  been  saved; 
through  the  ministrations  made  possible  by  their  efforts,  the  humblest 
private  in  the  ranks  now  realizes  that  "the  great  heart  of  the  nation 
will  not  let  the  soldier  die."  No  words  can  express  the  gratitude  of 
the  Red  Cross  for  their  powerful  assistance.  Faithful,  earnest  and 
efficient,  they  have  labored  incessantly  through  the  campaign,  and 
now  at  the  close  they  make  the  following  short  but  eloquent  report: 


Report  of  the  Relief  Committee. 
Organized  May  J,  i8g8. 

Officers. — Rt.  Rev.  Henry  C.  Potter,  D.  D. ,  chairman;  Alexander 
E.  Orr,  vice-chairman;  William  T.  Wardwell,  vice-chairman;  John  P. 
Faure,  Secretary;  Frederick  D.  Tappen,  treasurer;  Samuel  Woolver- 
ton,  assistant  treasurer. 

Members. — Dr.  Felix  Adler,  Bishop  Edward  G.  Andrews,  August 
Belmont,  Joseph  H.  Choate,  William  P.  Clyde,  John  D.  Crinimins, 
Chauncey  M.  Depew,  Cleveland  H.  Dodge,  John  P.  Faure,  Edwin 
Gould,  Clement  A.  Griscom,  Jr.,  John  S.  Huyler,  Morris  K.  Jesup, 
Edwin  Langdon,  Dr.  A.  M.  Lesser,  William  G.  Low,  Rev.  Sylvester 
Malone,  J.  Pierpout  Morgan,  Levi  P.  Morton,  Alexander  E.  Orr, 
Rt.  Rev.  Henry  C.  Potter,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  Percy  R.  Pyne,  Douglas 
Robinson,  John  D.  Rockefeller,  Jacob  H.  Schiff,  Gustav  H.  Schwab, 
Charles  Stewart  Smith,  Dr.  George  F.  Shrady,  James  Speyer, 
William  R.  Stewart,  A.  S.  Solomons,  Frederick  D.  Tappen,  Howard 
Townsend,   Dr.  T.  Gaillard  Thomas,   William  T.  Wardwell. 

Executive  Committee. — William  T.  Wardwell,  clinirman;  John  P. 
Faure,  secretary;  Levi  P.  Morton,  Frederick  D.  Tappen,  George  F. 
Shrady,  M.  D.,  William  G.  Low,  Gustav  H.  vSchwab.  Cleveland  H. 
Dodge,  A.  S.  Solomons,  Douglas  Robinson,  Howard  Townsend,  A. 
Monae  Lesser,  M.D.;  Rt.  Rev.  Henry  C.  Potter,  D.D.,  LL-D.,  eX' 
officio;  Alexander  E.  Orr,  ex-officio. 


474 


THE    RED   CROSS. 


Finance  Comviittec. — J.  Pierpont  Morgan,  chairman;  Frederick  D. 
Tappen,  vice-chairman;  August  Behnont,  James  Speyer,  Gustav  H. 
Schwab,  Edwin  Langdon,  Levi  P.  Morton. 

Committee  on  Yacht  ''Red  Cross." — William  T.  Wardvvell,  Gustav 
H.  Schwab,  Alexander  E.  Orr. 

Supply  Committee. — Cleveland  H.  Dodge,  chairman;  Mrs.  W.  S. 
Cowles,  Mrs.  John  Lyon  Gardiner,  John  S.  Huyler,  Percy  R.  Pyne, 
George  F.  Shrady,  M.  D.,  A.  S.  Solomons,  Howard  Townsend,  Miss 
Helen  Fidelia  Hoffman,  secretary;   F.  C.  Garmany,  purchasing  agent. 

Medical  Advisory  Board. — Wm.  H.  Draper,  M.D. ,  chairman; 
Andrew  J.  McCosh,  M.D.,  secretary;  Francis  P.  Kinnicutt,  M.D., 
Francis  Delafield,  M.D.,  John  S.  Billings,  M.D.,  Edward  G.  Janeway, 
M.D.,  Charles  McBurney,  M.D.,  Richard  H.  Derby,  M.  D. 


Treasurer's    Report 

And  Analysis  of  Expenditures,  3/ay  g  to  December  i,  i8g8. 

Total  receipts $305,229  66 

Office  supplies I5.ii7  89 

Food  supplies,  groceries,  milk,  fruit,  etc 46,067  95 

Cots  and  equipnieuts 24,946  09 

Medical  supplies,  wines,  liquors,  etc ii,357  33 

Clothing  and  dry  goods 1,413  6r 

Miscellaneous  supplies  .    .        16,051   14 

Account  nurses        17,718  24 

Ambulances  and  mules      7,782  56 

Ice              27,666  14 

Yacht  "  Red  Cross"  and  maintenance 54,o57  16 

Cash  to  General  Commiltee,  account  of  camps 59. 9^3  02 

Laundry  plant      1,230  ro 

Freight,  express  charges,  towmg,  transportation,  etc.     .  4,283  05  277,604  28 

Balance  on  hand $27,625  38 

IVomati's  Committee  on  Auxiliaries. — Mrs.  John  Lyon  Gardiner,  chairman; 
Mrs.  Paul  Dana,  secretary;  Miss  Martha  L.  Draper,  treasurer;  Mrs.  Butler  Duncan, 
Mrs.  James  W.  Gerard,  Mrs.  Bettina  Hofker  Lesser,  Mrs.  J  Pierpont  Morgan,  Dr. 
Lucy  Hall  Brown,  Mrs  W.  S  Cowles,  Mrs.  Winthrop  Cowdin,  Mrs.  Levi  P.  Mor- 
ton, Mrs.  Henry  C.  Potter,  Mrs.  G.  F.  Shrady. 

By  a  resolution  of  the  Executive  Committee  the  above  ladies  were 
appointed  a  Woman's  Committee  on  Auxiliaries,  charged  with  the  duty 
of  organizing  auxiliary  committees  throughout  the  United  States,  tQ 


REPORT   OF  THK    RELIEF   COMMITTEE.  475 

assist  in  Red  Cross  work.  This  committee  met  for  the  first  time  on 
May  12,  and  it  was  decided  to  interest,  by  personal  effort  and  corres- 
pondence, the  people  of  the  country  in  serving  the  sick  and  wounded 
soldiers  and  sailors  during  the  war  without  regard  to  nationality,  in 
accordance  with  the  rules  of  the  Conference  of  Geneva. 

From  its  inaugural  meeting  on  May  12  until  the  present  date  the 
Woman's  Committee  has  authorized  the  organization  of  ninety -two 
auxiliaries,  many  of  these  with  numerous  sub-auxiliaries,  thus  spread- 
ing the  work  throughout  the  country  from  Maine  to  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  the  western  limit  of  the  work  of  the  Relief  Conmiittee. 


The  Following  Auxiliaries  Were  Organized: 

No.  of 
No.  Name.  ♦  Place.  President.  Sub- 

Aux. 

1  First  N.Y.  Ambulance 

Equip.  vSociety    .    .    New  York Mrs.  W.  vS.  Cowles 3 

2  Women's  Confer.  Soc. 

of  Ethical  Culture  .       "         "       Mrs.  Henry  Ollesheimer. 

3  M  a  i  n  t  e  n  a  n  c  e  of 

Trained  Nurses    .    .       "         "       Mrs.  James  Speyer 15 

4 Yonkers,  N.  Y.  .    .    .  Mrs.  William  Sharman. 

5  Melcalf- Bliss  Hospital 

Cot  Equipment  New  York Mrs.  William  Metcalf-Bliss  ...  16 

6  Columbia  University       "         "  Mrs.  Seth  Low. 

7  N.Y.  CityCh.  D.A.R.      "         "  Mrs.  Donald  McLean. 

8  Council    of   Jewish 

Women      ...  "         "        Mrs.  Cyrus  L.  Sulzberger. 

9  Hartford  Wom.  Aux.  Hartford,  Conn.      ,    .  Mrs.  F.  W.  Cheney 9 

10  Ice  Plant  Auxiliary  .   New  York Miss  Julia  L.  Delafield. 

II Norwalk,  Conn.     .    .  Mrs.  Jennings. 

12  Soldiers'  Field  Hosp.    New  York Miss  E.  C.  Hebert. 

13  Mohegan  Ch.  D.A.R.  Sing  Sing,  N.  Y.    .    .  Mrs.  Annie  Van  Rensselaer  Wells  8 

14  ...        Morristown,  N.  J.  .    .  Miss  Louisa  E.  Keasby 7 

1.5  Green  Twigs  Aux.    .    Flu.shiiig,  L.  I.  .    .    .  Miss  Helen  A.  Colgate. 

16 Litchfield,  Conn.    .    .  Mrs.  George  M.  Woodruff. 

17  First  Penn.  Red  Cross 

Auxiliary Pittsburg,  Pa.     ...  Mr.  John  B.  Jackson 74 

18  Miscellaneous  Aux.  .    New  York Miss  Helen  Dominick. 

19  Laundry  Plant  Aux.  .       "  "        Miss  Alice  R.  Rabcock. 

20  Westchester  Co.  .Aux.  Mt.  Kisco,  N.  Y.    .    .  Mrs.  Henry  Marquand 14 

21 Hazleton.Pa Mrs.  W.  C.  Gailey. 

22  Land  and  Sea  Aux.  .    Pelham  Manor       .    .  Mrs.  Frank  K.  Hunter 5 

23  Staten  Island  .\ux.    .    New  Brighton     .    .    .  Mrs.  George  Beers. 

24        Princeton,  N.J.       .    .  Mr.s.  James  P.  Morgan       ...        3 

25        Hackensack,  N.  J.     .  Mrs.  James  Romeyn. 

26 Sewicklev,  Pa.    .    .    .  Rev.  B.  A.  Benton. 


476 


THE   RED   CROSS. 


No. 


Name. 


27  The  Fanners'  Aux.   . 

28  Port  Slanwix  Aux.    . 

29 

30 

31  Beaver  County  Aux. 

32  Grace  Par.Laun.Aux. 

33        

34  

35 

36 

37 

38 

39 

40  Western  Reserve  Ch. 

D.  A.  R 

41 

42 

43 

44  North  Shore  ,L.I.,Au. 

45 

46 

47  First  R.  I.  Auxiliary 

48  Nassau  Co., L. I.,  Aux. 

49 .•    •        • 

50  Tobacco  Auxiliary    . 

51  Central  Falls, R.I.,Au. 

52  Rhode  Island  Aux.  . 

53  Westmoreland     Co  ., 

Pa.,  Auxiliary 

54 

55 

56  Scott  Schley,  of 

57  •    ■    •    

58 

59 

60 

61 

62 

63  Suffolk  Co.,N.Y.,Aux 
64 

65  Otsego  Co.,N.Y.,Aux 

66  Plymouth  Church  Au. 

67 

68 

69  Loyal  Friends  Aux.  . 
70 


Place. 

Jennerstown,  Pa.    . 
Rome,  N.  Y.        .    . 
Fairfielil,  Conn. 
Norwich,  Kan.    . 
New  Brighton,  Pa. 
New  York    .... 

Athens,  Pa 

Cauandaigua  .  .  . 
Eau  Claire,  Wis.  . 
Mount  Vernon, N.Y. 
Elmhurst,  N.Y.  . 
Dublin,  N.  H.  .  . 
Larkinsville,  Ala.  . 

Cleveland,  Ohio     . 
New  Canaan,  Conn. 
Flatbush,  Brooklyn 
Colorado  Springs   . 
Glen  Cove,  L.  I.     . 


No.  of 
Sub- 
Aux. 


Far  Rockaway  .  . 
Providence  .  .  .  . 
Roslyn,  L.  I  .  .  . 
Kinderhook,  N.  Y. 
Newport,  R.  I.    .    . 


Providence  .    . 

Greensburg,  Pa.  .  . 
Pottstown,  Pa.  .  .  . 
Emporia,  Kan.  .  .  . 
Frederick,  Md.  .    .    . 

Lenox,  Mass 

Caldwell,  N.J.  .  .  . 
Upper  Red  Hook  .  . 
Saugerties-on-Hudson 
Hokendauqua,  Pa.  .  . 
Bridgeport,  Conn.  .  . 
Greenport,  L.  I- 
Staatsburgh,  N.  Y.  . 
Springfield  Centre  . 
Worcester,  Mass.  .  . 
Oyster  Bay,  L.  I.  .  . 
Cranford,  N.J.    .    . 

New  York 

London,  Ohio     ,    .    . 


President. 

Miss  F.  E.  Coffin. 
Mrs.  Louise  M.  Duffy. 
Mrs.  Henry  S.  Glover. 
Mrs.  Sarah  A.  King. 
Mrs.  Mary  C.  Kennedy. 
Mrs.  Butler  Duncan. 
Mrs.  L.  M.  Park. 
Mrs.  C.  C.  Wilcox. 
Mrs.  Francis  P.  Ide. 
Mrs.  William  Wilson 
Mrs.  A    C.  Green. 
Mrs.  Lewis  B.  Monroe. 
Miss  Anna  L.  Morris. 


Mrs.  Andrew  Squire 163 

Mrs.  Willard  Parker. 

Mrs.  Cornelius  L.  Wells. 

Mrs.  E.  S.  Cohen. 

Mrs.  John  E.  Leech. 

Mrs.  W.  Zabriskie. 

Mrs.  Alexander  Stevens. 

Mrs.  Charles  Mason. 

Mrs.  Valentine  Mott. 

Mrs.  P.  S.  V.  Pruyn. 

Mrs.  Schuyler  Van  Rensselaer. 

Mrs.  Arthur  Rogers. 

Mrs.  Mary  Frost  Evans. 


Miss  Louise  Brunot     .... 

Mrs.  E.  S.  Cook. 

Miss  Sabia  E.  Whitley. 

Mrs.  Henry  Williams. 

Mrs.  John  E.  Alexandre. 

Mrs.  F.  H.  Wing. 

Mrs.  Theodore  Cookingham. 

Mrs.  George  F.  Shrady. 

Miss  Bessie  H.  Thomas. 

Mrs.  Charles  B.  Read. 

Miss  Bessie  Clark. 

Miss  Madeleine  Dinsmore. 

Mrs.  H.  W.  Ward  well. 

Mr.  Arthur  Reed  Taft.  .    .    . 

Mrs.  Thomas  S.  Young,  Jr. 

Mrs.  F.  R.  Bourne. 

Mrs.  F.  P.  P.  Miller. 

Mrs,  George  Lincoln, 


.   3 


REPORT  OF  THR   RELIKF  COMMITTEE. 


477 


No.  Name.  Place. 

71 vShortsville,  N.  Y.  .    . 

72 Kichiiiond  Hill   .    .    . 

73 South  Orange,  N.  J.  . 

74  Telegraph    Signal 

Corps  Auxiliary  .    .    Brooklyn,  N.  Y.     .    . 
75 Platteville,  Wis.     .    . 

76        Waldcn,  N.  Y.    .    .    . 

77  Kir.st   West  Va.   Aux.  Wheeling.  W.Va.  .    . 

78 Toledo,  Ohio  .    .    .    . 

79 Lovingtor.,  111. 

80 New  Brunswick,  N.J. 

81  Colored  Women's  All.  Kansas  City,  Kan. 
•(2  Sons   and    Daughters 

Red  Cross  Aux.  .    .    North  Berwick,  Me 

S3 Orange,  N.  J.      .    .    . 

84 Hammond,  Ind.     .    . 

85         Holdredge,  Neb.    .    . 

86  Girls'  Towel  Aux.      .    Glen  Cove,  L.  I.    .    . 

87 Brattleboro,  Vt.      .    . 

88 Evanston,  111.         .    . 

89 Montclair,  N.  J.      .    . 

90 Lyons,  N.  Y 

91 Dobbs  Ferry,  N.  Y.  . 

92 Marshall,  Mich.     .    . 


President. 

Mrs.  O.  S.  Titus. 
Mrs.  Walter  P.  IvOng. 
Mrs.  V.  Arnold. 

Miss  Mary  A.  Tonilin.son. 
Mrs.  E.  G.  Buck. 
Mr.s.  Phoebe  Saxe. 
Mrs.  William  F.  Butler. 
Mrs.  S.  S.  Knabenshue. 
Mr.  S.  S.  Boggs. 
Mrs.  Nicholas  G.  Rutgers. 
Mrs.  Katie  Minor. 

Chester  A.  Hayes. 

Miss  Rosamond  Howard. 

Dr.  Mary  E.  Jackson. 

Mrs.  Reeves. 

Miss  Alice  O   Draper. 

Miss  Mary  E   Cabot. 

Mrs.  N.  Gill  Kirk. 

Mrs.  Benjamin  Strong. 

Miss  Eudora  A.  Lewis. 

Mrs.  Walston  Hill  Browne. 

Mrs.  W.  H.  Porter. 


No.  of 
Sub- 
Auz. 


Supplies  Contributed  by  Auxiliaries  through  Supply 
Committee. 


Cots 3.601 

Sheets 13,623 

Draw  sheets 994 

Rubber  sheets 226 

Pillow  cases 13,858 

Blankets 586 

Towels 36  821 

Wash  cloths 10,473 

Night.shirts 12,388 

Pajamas 14,264 

Wrappers      53 

Handkerchiefs 40,268 

Socks 8,484 

Slippers 2,342 

Abdominal  bands I'^'.SS? 

Negligee  shirts 5,(^7 

Undershirts 6,937 

Estimated  value 


Under  drawers 6,937 

Comfort  bags      1,188 

Palm-leaf  fans 6  cs. 

Cot  pads 1,006 


Mosquito  netting  .    .    . 

Nurses'  caps 

Nurses'  aprons  .    .    .    . 

Bra.s.sards 

Old  linen 

Napkins 

Stationery 

Delicacies 

Tobacco     ....•• 

I*i])es 

Literature 

Miscellaneous  articles 
Red  Cross  flags  .  .  , 
J8o,ooo. 


32  pes. 
271 
100 

90 

ID  CS. 
466 

2  CS. 
900  CS. 
20  CS. 
5,000 

1 20  cs. 

13.394 
70 


478  THE  RED   CROSS. 


Special  Work  Donk  by  Auxiliaries. 

Auxiliary  No.  i  provided  eleven  equipped  ambulances  with  forty 
mules.  For  Hospital  Ship  "Missouri":  two  hundred  electric  fans, 
telephones,  six  rubber  beds,  disinfecting  plant,  carbonating  plant, 
twenty-eight  foot  steam  launch,  thirty-seven  foot  steam  launch,  sent  to 
Chief  Surgeon  Havard  at  Santiago.  Supplies  of  clothing  and  delica- 
cies sent  to  Colonel  Wood  at  Santiago, 

Auxiliary  No,  2  opened  a  work  shop  on  Madison  Avenue  and  Fifty- 
ninth  Street.  There  women,  members  of  the  families  of  enlisted  men, 
were  employed  to  make  the  garments  supplied  by  this  auxiliary. 
Employment  was  given  to  these  women  both  at  their  homes  and  at  the 
shop.  Those  who  took  work  home  were  paid  by  the  piece.  In  all, 
142  women  were  employed,  many  having  steady  work  for  over  five 
months.  Up  to  December  i,  20,842  articles  were  made  by  this  Auxil- 
iary. 

Auxiliary  No.  3  has  perhaps  brought  more  comfort  to  the  sick  and 
wounded  soldiers  than  any  of  the  others.  It  was  organized  for  the 
special  work  of  providing  funds  for  the  maintenance  of  trained  nurses, 
and  as  will  be  seen  by  the  following  list  of  nurses  sent  out  by  this 
auxiliary,  no  opportunity  to  relieve  the  suffering  of  the  sick  was  ever 
passed  by. 

Railway  transportation  was  furnished  for  nearly  four  hundred 
nurses  sent  out  from  the  New  York  office. 

The  number  of  nurses  employed  may  be  divided  approximately 
into  four  classes:  (i)  Those  employed,  maintained  and  paid  by  the 
auxiliary.  (2)  Those  whose  salaries  and  maintenance  were  borne 
partly  by  the  government,  and  partly  by  the  auxiliary.  (3)  Those 
who  signed  the  government  contract  and  were  paid  and  supplied  with 
army  rations  by  the  government,  but  received  additional  supplies  from 
the  auxiliary.  (4)  Those  who  were  paid  by  the  auxiliary  and  main- 
tained by  local  aid. 

Class  I. 

At  Fort  Wadsworth 41  Nurses. 

'*  Charleston 20         " 

"  Leiter  Hospital 10         " 

*'  Governor's  Island 6        " 

"  Tampa 5        " 


REPORT  OF  THE   RELIEF   COMMITTEE.  479 

At  Atlantic  Highlands 5  Nurses,  i  vSurgeou. 

"  Convalescent  Home  for  Nurses i  Nurse. 

"  Hospital  Cars 4  Nurses. 

Class  II. 

At  Camp  Black 42  Nurses. 

"  Fort  Hamilton 23 

"  Fortress  Monroe 43         " 

On  Hospital  Ship  "  Missouri " 14  Nurses  (Men). 

At  Bedloe's  Island i  Nurse. 

"  Portsmouth 6  Nurses  (Men). 

Class  III. 

General  Hospital,  Montauk 125  Nurses. 

Sternberg  Hospital,  Chickaraauga 64      " 

Class  IV. 

L.  I.  City  Relief  Station 29  Nurses,  2  Surgeons. 

Relief  Tents,  Montauk  Station i       " 

Nassau  Hospital,  Hempstead 20       " 

Home  for  Convalescent  Soldiers  at  Sag  Harbor    6       " 
Convalescent  Home  of  8th  Reg't,  Hunter's  Island  2       " 
U.  S.  Transport  "Lampasas"   29  Nurses  (of  these  many  were  Vol- 
teers). 


The  salaries  of  some  and  maintenance  of  all  were  borne  by  the 
aiixiliar}'.  Nurses  were  also  supplied  on  emergency  calls  to  the 
Eighth  and  Ninth  Regiment  Armories. 

Auxiliary  No.  5  sent  equipped  cots  to  the  different  camps  in  the 
United  States,  Cuba  and  Porto  Rico,  supplying  in  all  3766. 

Auxiliary  No.  10  undertook  to  send  ice  to  Cuba  and  Porto  Rico, 
the  blockading  fleet,  and  the  different  camps.  This  auxiliary  also  fur- 
nished the  ice  plant  on  the  Hospital  Ship  "  Missouri,"  and  expended 
in  all  for  ice  $27,802.20. 

The  work  of  this  auxiliary  appealed  especially  to  every  one 
during  the  hot  weather,  and  donations  poured  in  upon  it,  not  the  least 
of  which  was  a  steady  income  from  the  "  Nathalie  Schenck  Ice  Chain," 
which  produced  a  revenue  of  $24,000  in  three  months. 

Auxiliary  No.  17,  enrolled  seventy-four  sub-auxiliaries,  with  a 
total  membership  of  6173. 

To  the  Supply  Committee  this  auxiliar>-  sent  in  the  largest 
quantity  of  supplies. 


48o  THK    RKD    CROSS. 

Auxiliary  No.  19  raised  futuls  for  a  laundry  plant,  and  put  same 
on  Hospital  Ship  "  Missouri." 

Auxiliary  No.  22  had  five  sub-auxiliaries,  with  a  total  member- 
ship of  1018.  14,144  garments,  850  cases  and  packages  of  food,  and 
12,583  books  and  magazines  were  sent  to  the  Supply  Depot.  In  Sep- 
tember the  auxiliary  took  as  its  particular  work  the  supplying  of 
clothing  to  destitute  soldiers  applying  for  same,  with  properly  signed 
orders,  at  554  Broadway.  Nearly  800  men  were  given  underwear, 
blue  flannel  shirts,  socks,  handkerchiefs,  night  shirts,  etc.,  etc. 

Auxiliary  No.  40. — The  War  Emergency  Relief  Board  of  Cleveland 
became  an  auxiliary  to  the  Red  Cross  in  June,  with  163  sub-auxiliaries. 
Ten  thousand  dollars  in  money,  and  between  thirty  and  forty  thousand 
dollars  worth  of  supples,  were  sent  to  the  front.  Two  thousand  dollars 
were  spent  in  fitting  up  unfurnished  wards  in  Cleveland  hospitals, 
where  533  soldiers  were  cared  for.  The  wives  and  families  of  soldiers 
and  sailors  were  also  cared  for.  Five  thousand  four  hundred  and 
fifty  hot  breakfasts  and  dinners  were  served  at  the  Union  Depot  to 
soldiers  passing  through  Cleveland.  Four  hundred  cases  of  clothing 
and  delicacies  were  shipped  by  this  auxiliary. 


Requisitions  Filled  by  Supply  Committee. 

June  22  to  December  i. 

Total  Number,  427. 

To  Santiago Shipments,    26 

"     Porto   Rico        "  10 

"     Camp  Wikoff "  53 

"         "       Thomas      "  34 

"         "        Alger "  7 

Black      .    .  "  5 

"         "        Townsend "  I 

"         *'        Hobson "  I 

"    Jacksonville "  17 

"     Tampa "  9 

"     Miami  ...            "  2 

"     Governor's  Island "  14 

*'     Bedloe's  Island '"  3 

"     Seavey's  Island ,    .    .   .  ''  3 

"     Fort  Wadsworth  ...,.<,. '' '  ao 


A    CI  hAA    ••  i'.i,(j(^iv    iluu^,h,"   CiARRISUNKD. 


REPORT  OF  THE   RELIEF  COMMITTEE.  aS-k 

To   Fortress   Monroe Shipnieiits      5 

"     Fort  Riley •   .    .    .  "  1 

"     Fort  Hamilton "  18 

"     Fort  McPherson '  4 

"     Quarantine 5 

"     Bellevue  Hospital '  6 

"     Roosevelt  Hospital "  2 

"     Brooklyn  Hospital "  3 

"     St.  Peter's  Hospital "  6 

"     St.  Francis'  IIo.spital "  2 

"     vSt.  Catherine's  Hospital "  '« 

"     St.  Joseph's  Hospital "  4 

"     Yonkers  Hospital "  4 

"     Mount  Vernon  Hospital "  4 

"     New    Rochelle  Hospital "  4 

"    Jamaica  Hospital "  i 

"     Nassau  Hospital  .    .  "  4 

"     Long  Island   College   Hospital "  6 

"  Long  Island  Red   Cro.ss   Emergency  Hospital  .    .  "             22 

"     Stapleto)!  Marine  Hospital " 

"     U.S.  S.  "St.   Paul  "  . 

"  "         "  New  Hampshire  " " 

"  "         "Nahant" " 

•'  "         '"Harvard" " 

"  *'         'Kanawha" " 

"Elfrida" 

"  "         "  Vigilancia" " 

"  "         "  Supply  " " 

*'     Hospital  Ship  "  Missouri  " "  4 

"  "  "      "  Relief" "  2 

"     "Red  Cross"  Vaclit      "  2 

"       9th  Regiment  .Xrinory "  7 

'•       8th         "  "  "  4 

"     71st  "  "  "  I 

"     13th         "  "  "  2 

"     Convalescent  Homes "  43 

"  Soldiers'  Comfort  Committees  ...                ....  "             25 

"  Distribution  to  Soldiers  at   Supply  Depot      ...  "             13 

"     Stephen  K.  Barton "  2 

"     Dr.  B.  B.  Lanier,  U.  S.  A.     .    . 

"     Major  Henry  Page,  U.  S.  V " 

"     Mr.s.  L.   Hutton,  Athens,  Ga " 

"     Mrs.  G.  M.  Moulton,  Savannah " 

•'     Mrs.  F.  M.  Armstrong,  Hampton,  Va " 

Total 427 

27 


THE   RED    CROSS. 


tXTRACTS  OF  REPORTS  FROM  CAMPS. 
Jacksonville,  Fla. 

Field  Agent,  Rev.  Alexander  Kent 

Headquarters  opened  June  i6,  1898.  The  hospital  was  found  in  a 
very  distressing  and  unhealthful  condition.  Most  of  the  patients  were 
indeed  on  cots,  but  few  had  cither  sheets  or  night  shirts  to  cover  them! 
It  was  also  found  that  the  sick  had  no  suitable  food,  and  when  the 
suitable  food  was  provided  it  was  found  that  there  was  no  provision  for 
preparing  it! 

The  government  provided  many  sheets,  many  cots,  many  pillows, 
but  the  demand  ever  outran  the  supply,  and  the  Red  Cross  was  called 
on  continually  to  supply  the  lack. 

The  government  made  no  provision  for  ice,  milk,  eggs,  lemons, 
malted  milk,  peptonoids,  clam  bouillon,  beef  extracts  and  delicacies  of 
all  kinds  until  after  the  first  of  September,  when  each  patient  was 
allowed  sixty  cents  a  day.  All  supplies  of  this  sort  were  furnished  by 
the  Red  Cross,  or  by  the  beneficient  agencies. 

At  the  Second  Division  Hospital  the  Red  Cross  paid  for  a  bath 
house,  kitchen  and  large  circular  tent  for  convalescents — 100  cots, 
mattresses  and  1000  pillows.  Sheets,  pillow  ca.ses,  night  shirts,  pajamas 
and  towels  were  sent  by  the  thousand. 

The  Red  Cross  furnished  over  $1000  worth  of  medicines  not  on  the 
government  list,  over  1000  bath  and  surgical  sponges,  50  ice  chests, 
over  700  buckets,  tumblers  by  the  barrel,  medicine  glasses,  ice  bags, 
hypodermic  syringes,  etc. 

Over  $1300  was  spent  for  hospital  equipment  and  supplies  of 
various  kinds;  in  addition  to  this,  large  shipments  were  received  from 
New  York. 

An  important  part  of  the  work  in  this  camp  was  the  supplying  of 
ice  for  the  purpose  of  cooling  the  drinking  water.  The  cost  of  this  ice, 
5(;6ooo,  was  met  by  Auxiliary  No.  10, 

The  milk  bills  averaged  $500  a  week. 

When  the  Recuperating  Hospital  was  opened  at  Pablo  Beach,  the 
Red  Cross,  at  the  request  of  the  chief  surgeon,  supplied  250  sets  of 
dishes,  with  a  complete  outfit  of  pitchers,  trays,  buckets,  etc. 


EXTRACTS   OF    REPORTvS    FROM   CAMPS.  485 

The  several  heads  of  divisional  hospitals  have  said  to  the  agent 
again  and  again,  ' '  The  hospitals  never  could  have  equipped  themselves. 
They  would  have  broken  down  utterly  without  the  aid  of  the  Red 
Cross." 

Camp  Thomas,  Chickamauga,  Ga. 

Field  Agent,  E.  C.  Smith. 

"  No  array  of  mere  numerals  written  to  express  dollars,  or  tables 
of  figures  standing  for  quantities,  could,  in  comprehensive  sense,  tell 
the  story  of  the  Red  Cross  work  at  Chickamauga  in  1898.  The  record 
is  written  indelibly  in  the  hearts  of  thousands  of  soldiers  who  were 
stricken  with  disease  on  this  battlefield,  and  the  story  has  been  told  at 
quiet  firesides  in  every  State  of  the  Union."  Here  in  Chickamauga 
men  fell  from  the  ranks  day  after  day,  and  were  carried  helpless  to  the 
regimental,  division,  corps  and  general  hospitals,  stricken  by  an  unseen 
foe.  It  was  at  these  hospitals  that  the  Red  Cross  sent  supplies  of  all 
kinds,  medical  and  surgical,  clothing,  bedding,  delicacies,  etc.  The 
agent,  Mr  Smith,  was  told  to  supply  everything  needed,  regardless  of 
cost.  Milk  and  ice  were  the  chief  requisites,  and  all  the  surround- 
ing farming  country'  was  called  upon  to  supply  the  milk,  some  of  it 
coming  as  far  as  Biltmore,  N.  C.  The  agent  ascertained  the  neces- 
sities of  the  sick  through  the  best  official  sources,  and  without  delay 
the  necessities  were  supplied. 

Mr,  Smith  was  stricken  at  his  post  with  typhoid,  but  is  now 
convalescent. 

Washington,  D.  C. 

Headquarters  for  Camp  Alger,  Point  Sheridan.  Va.,  Washington  Barracks  Post 
Hospital,  Camp  Bristow,  Fort  Meyer.  Fortress  Monroe.  B.  H.  Warner,  Agent 
and  Chairman  Executive  Committee  of  Red  Cross  at  Washington. 

By  this  branch  of  the  Red  Cross  a  large  part  of  the  work  in  camps 
was  undertaken.  A  meeting  was  called  on  June  21,  at  which  a  large 
number  of  citizens  met,  and  an  Executive  Committee  was  formed  to 
carry  on  the  relief  work  at  these  different  po.sts. 

Captain  George  C.  Lewis  was  the  representative  of  the  committee 
at  Camp  Alger.  He  was  constantly  on  duty  there,  seeing  that  supplies 
were  furnished  and  all  possible  relief  extended — mattresses,  pillows, 
sheets,  pillowcases,  mosquito  bars,  night  shirts,  pajamas,  handkerchiefs, 


486  THE    RED   CROSwS. 

underclothing,  medicines,  groceries  and  delicacies  were  supplied  in  large 
quantities  to  this  camp. 

Point  Sheridan  was  visited  by  Mrs.  Mussey,  a  member  of  the 
Committee.  It  was  found  that  they  were  suffering  for  supplies  of  all 
kinds,  but  especially  for  medicines,  which  had  been  ordered  a  month 
before,  but  had  not  been  receiv^ed.  Proper  medicines  were  delivered  by 
the  Red  Cross  within  twenty-four  hours,  and  other  necessities  were 
supplied,  large  shipments  being  also  sent  from  New  York. 

When  the  Washington  Barracks  was  made  a  post  hospital,  the 
Red  Cross  supplied  daily  800  pounds  of  ice,  5  gallons  cliicken  soup, 
30  gallons  of  milk,  20  pounds  of  butter  and  2  crates  of  eggs  weekly. 
Also  furnished  1200  suits  underwear,  several  hundred  suits  of  pajamas, 
several  hundred  pairs  socks,  and  slippers,  500  towels,  medicines,  anti- 
septic dressings,  etc.     The  work  at  this  point  closed  October  8. 

The  Secretary  of  War  gave  authority  for  the  establishment  of  diet 
kitchens,  in  the  camps  near  Washington,  and  Mrs.  Mussey  was  given 
general  charge  of  this  special  work.  A  diet  kitchen  was  established  at 
Camp  Bristow,  one  at  the  hospital  at  the  Washington  Barracks  and  at 
Fort  Meyer. 

The  government  had  voluntarily  paid  for  meat,  chicken  and  milk, 
leaving  the  committee  only  bills  for  groceries  and  wages  of  employees. 

Dr.  Green  rendered  such  efficient  service  that  she  has  been  em- 
ployed by  the  government  to  establish  diet  kitchens  at  other  points. 

"  Physicians,  nurses  and  patients  unite  in  saying  the  aid  they 
secured  from  the  work  was  of  inestimable  value. ' ' 

To  Fortress  Monroe  supplies  were  sent  one  day  after  they  were 
called  for,  consisting  in  part  of  500  suits  pajamas,  25  pairs  crutches, 
200  pairs  slippers,  350  yards  rubber  sheeting,  large  quantities  antiseptic 
dressings,  60  gallons  whiskey  and  brandy,  200  cans  soups,  basins, 
pitchers,  dishes,  etc. 

Arrangements  were  also  made  at  this  point  for  supplying  ice  for 
the  use  of  the  troops  on  board  the  transports  going  South,  and  also 
for  the  sick  on  their  journey  North. 

The  branch  of  work  undertaken  by  this  committee,  which  was  the 
most  difficult  to  conduct,  was  in  looking  after  the  sick  soldiers  who 
passed  through  the  city.  Soldiers  from  almost  forty  different  regiments 
were  fed  and  cared  for  when  ill.  In  all,  about  40,000  men.  The  War 
Department  paid  for  the  bread  used  in  this  branch  of  the  work.  All 
bills  for  ice,  and  ice  chests  provided  by  this  committee,  were  paid  for  by 
Auxiliary  No.  10. 


EXTRACTS   OF    RKPORTvS    FROM    CAMP.  487 

' '  It  is  gratifying  to  be  able  to  state  that  whatever  view  the  sur- 
geons and  other  officers  may  have  had  as  to  the  need  of  the  Red  Cross  at 
the  beginning  of  the  war,  at  the  close  they  joined  with  the  private 
soldier  in  testifying  to  its  wonderful  and  efficient  work." 


Yacht  "Red  Cross. 

The  yacht  "  Red  Cross  "  was  bought  by  the  Relief  Committee,  to 
be  used  by  Miss  Barton  as  headquarters  during  her  stay  in  Cuba.  The 
yacht  sailed  from  New  York  for  Key  West  on  June  30,  laden  with 
twenty-five  tons  of  surgical  and  medical  supplies,  and  with  five  doctors, 
arriving  at  Key  West  on  July  10.  From  Key  West  the  yacht  sailed 
for  Santiago  on  July  16.  She  ran  into  a  storm,  and  was  so  badly 
damaged  she  had  to  put  back  to  Key  West  for  repairs.  It  was  found 
impossible  to  repair  her  there,  so  the  medical  supplies  were  transferred 
to  a  transport  sailing  for  Cuba,  and  the  "  Red  Cross  "  returned  to  New 
York,  arriving  August  4. 

In  three  or  four  days  she  was  in  order  again,  and  took  on  board  a 
cargo  of  supplies  for  Camp  WikofF.  She  was  then  offered  to  the 
government  to  transfer  patients  from  the  general  hospitals  at  Camp 
Wikoff  to  the  hospitals  in  New  York,  New  Haven,  and  adjacent  cities, 
where  the  soldiers  could  receive  better  shelter  and  care.  The  yacht 
was  comfortably  fitted  out,  and  made  twenty-eight  trips,  carrying  in  all 
449  sick  men.  During  these  trips  she  carried  a  doctor  and  three 
trained  nurses  to  care  for  the  sick,  and  often  the  relatives  and  friends 
of  the  soldiers  were  allowed  to  accompany  those  whom  they  had  been 
to  find  at  Camp  Wikoff. 


Camp  Wikoff,  Montauk  Point,  ly.  I, 

Field  Agent,  Mr.  Howard  Townsend. 

It  is  difficult  indeed,  in  giving  extracts  of  this  report,  to  present 
any  idea  of  the  great  work  accomplished  here.  Mr.  Townsend  visited 
the  camp  on  August  8,  and,  after  returning  to  New  York  to  report  to 
the  Relief  Committee,  went  to  Montauk  on  the  loth  to  open  "head- 
quarters." The  first,  and  in  some  respects  the  most  important  work 
was  the  delivery  of  a  daily  supply  of  water  for  the  troops.  Ten 
thousand  gallons  of  hygeia  water  were  delivered  to  the  government, 


488  THK    RKD    CROSS. 

and  four  tank  cars  were  brought  daily  from  Jamaica  with  fresh  spring 
water.  This  work  ceased  when  the  great  well  was  finished.  To  the 
general  hospital  .such  supplies  were  furnished  as  were  rendered  neces- 
sary by  the  confusion  and  hurry  of  the  first  weeks,  indeed  a  large  part 
of  the  articles  necessary  for  a  hospital  were  placed  in  the  wards  a  few 
hours  after  the  need  was  discovered. 

We  supplied  but  few  delicacies  to  the  hospital  after  it  was  ip 
running  order.  Oranges  and  lemons,  were,  however,  supplied  at  the 
rate  of  looo  a  day,  and  200  gallons  of  milk  were  furnished,  until,  by 
order  of  Secretary  Alger,  the  government  furnished  2000  gallons  of 
milk  a  day  to  the  hospitals  and  troops.  The  detention  hospital  we  also 
kept  abundantly  supplied  with  delicacies,  and  often  with  necessities. 

The  regimental  hospitals  were  found  to  be  in  great  need  of 
equipment  and  food  suitable  for  the  sick,  and  to  this  part  of  the  work 
Dr.  Geo.  E.  Brewer  and  Mr.  Samuel  Parrish  devoted  themselves,  mak- 
ing daily  visits  to  the  regiments,  and  assisting  the  regimental  surgeons 
in  their  discouraging  work. 

Auxiliarj^  No.  3  sent  a  dietary  expert,  Mrs.  Willard,  to  the  camp 
to  establish  diet  kitchens,  and  with  the  aid  of  Mr.  Prescott,  of  the 
Massachusetts  Volunteer  Aid  Society  they  were  established  in  con- 
nection with  the  various  hospitals,  and  such  satisfactory  results  were 
worked  out  that  the  government  agreed  to  pay  all  the  expenses. 

The  feeding  of  all  the  sick  and  half-starved  men  who  arrived  from 
Cuba  on  the  transports  was  undertaken  by  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Valentine 
Mott,  while  Dr.  Magruder,  chief  quarantine  officer,  exerted  himself 
admirably  in  Red  Cross  work,  carrying  continually  stores  of  Red  Cross 
delicacies  to  those  ships  which  were  in  quarantine  and  suffering  for  lack 
of  food. 

At  the  railroad  .station,  the  men  leaving  on  sick  furlough  frequently 
collapsed,  and  here  the  government  erected  two  tents  for  the  Red  Cross, 
and  Miss  Martha  L.  Draper  was  asked  to  take  charge.  The  men  were 
fed  with  milk,  and  when  necessary  given  a  few  ounces  of  whiskey  to 
enable  them  to  continue  their  journey.  Those  who  were  unable  to 
take  the  train  were  kept  in  the  tents  over  night,  which  sheltered  at 
times  as  many  as  twenty  sick  men! 

A  great  effort  was  made  to  answer  all  the  inquiries  from  relatives 
of  the  missing  soldiers.  Few  can  realize  the  number  of  letters  and 
telegrams  received  each  day  from  all  parts  of  the  countr5^ 

"Owing  to  the  recognition  given/  to  the  Red  Cro.ss  agent  by 
Major-General  Young  when  the  camp  was  first  begun,  the  Red  Cross 


EXTRACTS   OF   REPORTS   FROM   CAMPS. 


489 


was  able  to  enter  into  a  far  broader  sphere  of  usefulness  than  would 
otherwise  have  been  jxjssible." 

The  following  list  is  given  of  articles  furnished  by  the  Red  Cross, 
to  show  in  what  quantities  the  supplies  were  used: 


Equipped  cots 1.523 

Suits  underwear 4,948 

Pairs  of  socks 4i322 

Night  shirts 4,322 

Pajamas      4,733 

Comfort  bags 1,511 

Sheets 2,471 

Pillow  cases 2,536 

Handkerchiefs 10,946 


Pairs  of  slippers 2,423 

Towels 6,554 

Pillows 800 

Blankets 929 

Cocoa          J, 440 

Soups  (cans)      10,344 

Lactated  food  (bottles)      ....  3,456 

Beef  extract      ^,224 


In  all,  178  different  articles  were  furnished,  and  many  of  them  in 
as  large,  some  in  even  larger  numbers  than  these  given. 


Red  Cross  Relief  Station,  Long  Island  City. 


Mrs.  Hammond  in  charge. 


The  Red  Cross  Relief  Station  was  opened  on  August  29th.  The 
building  which  was  directly  opposite  the  railroad  station,  and  in  every 
way  most  admirably  adapted  to  the  work,  was  offered  to  the  Society  by 
Patrick  J.  Gleason,  ex-Mayor  of  Long  Island  City.  On  the  second 
and  third  floors  of  this  building,  cots  were  erected,  diet  kitchens  were 
started,  a  corps  of  servants  employed,  and  in  a  day  or  two  everything 
was  in  readiness.  All  the  trains  arriving  from  Montauk  were  met  and 
the  men  assisted  to  the  Red  Cross  Relief  Station,  where  they  were  all  fed. 
Many  men  were  too  ill  to  continue  on  their  journey  and  were  kept  at 
the  "Emergency  Hospital,"  or  sent  to  hospitals  in  New  York  and 
Brooklyn.  The  work,  in  a  day  or  two.  assumed  such  large  proportions 
that  cots  were  erected  on  the  first  floor,  and  the  Information  and 
Business  offices  were  in  a  tent  in  front  of  the  building.  Even  this 
proved  inadequate,  and  fifteen  tents  were  erected,  each  holding  six 
cots. 

Competent  trained  nurses  were  on  duty,  supplied  by  Auxiliary 
No.  3. 

Two  ambulances  were  supplied  by  Auxiliary  No    i. 


490 


THE  RED  CROSS. 


Clothing  and  delicacies  of  all  kinds  were  dispensed  in  large 
quantities. 

Over  fourteen  thousand  men  were  fed,  and  about  $7000  was  spent 
in  carrj'ing  on  this  work. 

From  the  reports  of  the  physicians  in  charge  we  can  safely  say 
that  for  the  first  two  weeks  75  per  cent  of  all  that  came  in  were  sick, 
needing  care  and  medical  attention,  the  third  week  about  50  per  cent, 
and  the  fourth  week  about  25  per  cent. 

It  was  due  to  the  untiring  enthusiasm  of  the  women  interested  in 
the  relief  work  that  the  society  was  able  to  carry  it  on  so  successfully. 


WOMAN'S  AUXILIARIES  OF  THE  RED  CROSS.       491 


THE  WOMAN'S  AUXILIARIES  OF  THE  RED  CROSS. 

By  special  authority  from  the  American  National  Red  Cross,  these 
auxiliaries  were  organized  under  the  auspices  of  the  Relief  Committee 
in  New  York,  acting  in  conjunction  with  the  Executive  Commitiee  of 
the  Red  Cross.  Therefore,  full  reports  of  what  they  have  accomplished 
have  not  been  sent  direct  to  the  national  headquarters.  Among  the 
woman's  auxiliaries  it  was  the  custom  for  each  to  organize  for  some 
special  work,  and  devote  their  entire  attention  to  it.  It  is  a  pleasure 
to  be  able  to  insert  here,  as  an  example  of  the  manner  in  which  these 
loyal  women  did  their  part  in  the  work  of  war  relief,  the  following 
from  the  report  of  Auxiliary  No.  3,  organized  for  the  maintenance  of 
trained  nurses  : 


From  the  Report  of  Red  Cross  Auxiliary  No.  3. 

At  the  request  of  the  Women's  Committee  on  Auxiliaries,  this 
auxiliary  was  organized  on  May  18,  1898,  to  provide  funds  for  the 
maintenance  of  trained  nurses.  It  was  the  original  intention  that  these 
nurses  should  be  placed  on  a  hospital  ship  to  be  furnished  by  the 
National  Relief  Committee.  It  was  not  long,  however,  before  this 
plan  of  specialized  work  was  abandoned  by  the  Relief  Committee,  and 
the  Executive  Committee  of  the  auxiliary  adapted  itself  to  the  change, 
by  using  its  funds  and  devoting  its  energies  in  supplying  and  main- 
taining trained  nurses  in  army  hospitals,  where,  owing  to  the  sudden- 
ness and  greatness  of  the  emergency,  the  supply  and  maintenance  of 
an  adequate  number  of  nurses  were  not  in  the  government's  power. 
This  form  of  work  was  begun  early  in  July,  and  on  the  19th  of  that 
month  was,  with  the  concurrence  of  the  Relief  Committee,  finally 
adopted  as  the  chief  purpose  of  the  auxiliary'.  It  is  hoped  that  some 
estimate  of  the  success  achieved  may  be  gained  from  this  report. 

Immediately  on  its  organization,  the  important  work  of  raising 
money  was  undertaken,  systematic  eflforts  were  made  to  reach  sub- 
scribers, associate  members  were  enlisted,  circulars  were  sent  out,  and 
personal  appeals  were  made.  From  Paris  alone,  by  the  generosity  of 
French  and  American  friends,  more  than  $21,000  was  received. 
Suburban  branches  were  also  established,  which,  under  the  direction 


492 


THE    RED    CROSS. 


of  separate  committees,  labored  earnestly  and  contributed  largely,  both 
in  money  and  in  supplies.  The  chief  of  these  branches  were  at  Sea- 
bright,  Klberon,  Navesink,  Orange,  New  Hamburg,  Tuxedo,  Tarry- 
town,  Northern  Westchester  County,  Riverdale,  Rye  and  Harrison, 
White  Plains,  Lake  George,  St.  Hubert's  Inn,  Lenox,  Wakefield  and 
Narragansett  and  Bar  Harbor.  The  Executive  Committee  met  fre- 
quently to  consider  this  question  of  ways  and  means,  and  the  assistant 
treasurer,  Mrs.  Edmund  L.  Baylies,  was  soon  able  to  report  a  generous 
response.  As  shown  by  her  account,  the  sum  of  $107,785. 12  has  in 
all  been  collected,  of  which  $72,101.64  has  already  been  expended. 
Without  this  hearty  support  from  the  friends  of  the  cause,  the  good 
accomplished  by  the  auxiliary  would  have  been  sadly  restricted, 
Indeed,  when  the  critical  time  of  arranging  cooperation  with  the 
government  came,  we  might  never  have  felt  justified  in  undertaking 
such  a  responsibility,  had  our  actual  contributions  not  been  so  large, 
and  the  assurance  of  further  financial  support  so  definite. 

On  June  30  the  first  call  for  nurses  came  in  the  shape  of  a  tele- 
graphic dispatch  from  Santiago,  sent  by  Dr.  A.  Monae  Lesser,  chief 
surgeon  of  the  American  National  Red  Cross  Society.  Two  days 
later,  in  compliance  with  this  dispatch,  a  party  consisting  of  twelve 
trained  nurses,  one  immune  nurse,  and  one  assistant,  was  sent  from 
New  York  to  Tampa  in  charge  of  Miss  Laura  D.  Gill,  with  orders  to 
proceed  to  Santiago  at  the  first  opportunity.  This  party  was  reinforced 
by  a  second,  consisting  of  three  physicians  and  elevLU  nurses,  w^ho  left 
New  York  on  July  4  in  charge  of  Miss  Isabel  Rutty.  A  third  party 
of  two  physicians,  thirty-two  nurses,  and  six  orderlies  was  sent  forward 
the  same  week,  and  reached  Tampa  on  the  evening  of  July  9.  The 
first  available  steamer  for  Santiago  was  the  U.  S.  transport  "  Lam- 
pasas," which  was  taking  out  Col.  Black  and  his  engineering  corps, 
and  through  the  kindness  of  General  Coppinger  and  Col.  Edmond 
Rice,  five  physicians,  twenty-nine  nurses,  and  two  orderlies  were  given 
transportation   upon  that  ship. 

The  "Lampasas"  reached  Santiago  just  after  its  surrender,  but 
owing  to  the  recent  outbreak  of  yellow  fever  in  the  city,  a  strict 
quarantine  had  been  established,  and  none  but  immunes  were  permitted 
to  go  ashore.  The  steamer  thereupon  proceeded  to  Porto  Rico,  and 
on  reaching  the  harbor  of  Guanica  was  converted  into  a  hospital  ship. 
The  plan  of  landing  the  nurses  was  abandoned,  and  they  immediately 
devoted  themselves  to  the  care  of  the  112  soldiers,  most  of  them  typhoid 
fever  patients,  for  whom  accommodation  was  provided  on  the   vessel. 


WOMAN'S   AUXILIARIES  OF  THE  RED  CROSS.       493 

Two  of  these  patients  died  at  Guanica,  two  at  Ponce,  and  four  on 
the  homeward  voyage.  The  remaining  104  were  safely  landed  at 
Fort  Monroe  early  in  August.  Miss  Mary  E.  Gladwin,  who  was  with 
the  party,  spoke  for  all  the  nurses  when  she  said  that  this  "  Lampasas  " 
trip  was  the  opportunity  of  a  lifetime,  and  that  the  two  weeks  of 
absorbing  work  "  were  worth  years  of  ordinary  living." 

In  the  meantime  the  rest  of  our  party  at  Tampa  had  embarked 
on  another  government  tran.sport,  the  "  Nueces,"  also  bound  for  San- 
tiago. But  within  a  few  hours  after  the  "  Lampasas  "  left  the  dock  at 
Tampa,  and  before  the  "Nueces"  could  get  away,  a  telegram  was 
received  telling  of  the  outbreak  of  yellow  fever  in  Cuba.  By  direction 
of  the  government,  all  of  our  party,  except  one  trained  nurse  and  four 
assistants,  were  thereupon  removed  from  the  "Nueces,"  and  left  in 
Tampa  to  await  further  developments.  The  five  excepted  members  of 
the  party  proceeded  to  Cuba,  and  some  time  afterwards  returned  to 
New  York  in  attendance  upon  the  patients  who  were  brought  home  on 
the  steamer  "  Concho." 

It  was  in  Tampa,  while  these  nurses  were  impatiently  awaiting 
transportation  to  the  front,  that  the  sudden  outbreak  of  typhoid  fever 
in  the  camp  there  gave  the  first  important  occasion  for  their  services. 
Four  nurses,  under  the  charge  of  Mrs.  E.  B.  Freer,  were  assigned  to 
the  Division  Ho.spital  at  Picnic  Island,  and  continued  their  work  until 
about  July  27,  when  the  sick  men  were  removed  and  the  island  aban- 
doned as  a  camp.  The  services  of  Mrs.  Freer' s  party  were  then  desired 
by  Colonel  O'Reilly,  chief  surgeon  of  the  Fourth  Army  Corps,  and 
she  was  asked  on  Saturday,  July  30,  to  superintend  the  opening  of  a 
new  military  hospital  in  West  Tampa.  Authority  and  funds  were,  on 
application  to  the  auxiliary  in  New  York,  telegraphed  her  accordingly, 
and  the  effectiveness  of  the  compliance  with  the  chief  surgeon's  request 
will  appear  when  it  is  said  that  by  evening  of  the  next  day  (Sunday) 
a  three-story  brick  building  was  selected  for  the  hospital,  thoroughly 
cleaned,  equipped  with  cots  and  other  necessary  hospital  appliances, 
and  the  cots  themselves  occupied  by  fifty  soldiers  suffering  from  typhoid 
and  malarial  fevers.  The  spirit  of  this  auspicious  beginning  guided 
the  conduct  of  the  hospital  until  its  last  patient  had  been  discharged  on 
October  14.  Five  hundred  soldiers,  chiefly  typhoid  patients,  were 
treated  during  those  ten  weeks,  and  only  eleven  deaths  occurred.  Even 
a  modern  city  hospital  might  be  proud  of  such  a  record. 

Meanwhile  the  con.stant  efforts  of  the  auxiliary  to  send  nurses  to 
Cuba  were   thwarted  by  the   appearance  of  yellow  fever   in  Santiago. 


494  THK    RKD   CROSS. 

Notwithstanding  our  repeated  offers,  the  government  adhered  to  iti- 
detennination  to  permit  none  but  innnune  nurses  at  the  front,  and  the 
extension  of  the  auxiHary's  work  seemed  to  be  liopelessly  checked. 
The  situation  with  whicli  we  were  confronted  was  most  serious.  We 
had  sought  and  collected  over  $60,000  in  money,  and  notwithstanding 
the  great  amount  of  suffering,  and  our  conviction  that  if  only  permitted  to 
do  so  we  might  relieve  so  much  of  it,  we  were  nearly  helpless.  Happily, 
a  speedy  and  most  gratifying  solution  of  the  problem  was  found  in  the 
following  manner:  The  Executive  Board  of  the  Relief  Committee 
decided  to  send  a  committee  representing  itself  and  this  auxiliary  to 
Washington,  to  reach  some  positive  understanding  with  the  President 
and  the  surgeon-general  of  the  army  regarding  the  regular  employ- 
ment of  our  nurses. 

On  the  evening  of  July  15,  this  committee,  consisting  of  Mr. 
Howard  Townsend,  Mrs.  Whitelaw  Reid  and  Mrs.  Winthrop  Cowdin, 
was  accorded  a  private  interview  at  the  White  House  by  President 
McKinley,  who  listened  with  kindly  attention  to  a  brief  explanation 
of  the  aims  and  purposes  of  the  auxiliarj^,  and  expressed  himself  as 
entirely  in  sympathy  with  them.  At  his  request,  a  conference  at  the 
White  House  between  the  committee,  the  Secretary  of  War  and  the 
surgeon -general  was  arranged  for  the  following  morning.  That  same 
evening  the  committee  called  also  upon  the  adjutant-general,  and 
was  assured  of  his  co-operation  in  their  efforts.  Owing  doubtless  to 
the  limited  time  at  the  disposal  of  the  surgeon-general,  who  was  on 
his  way  to  meet  the  hospital  ship  "Olivette"  on  its  first  journey 
North  with  a  load  of  wounded  from  Santiago,  no  definite  results  were 
reached  at  the  conference  the  next  morning.  The  Secretary  of  War, 
however,  said  he  would  aid  us  to  the  extent  of  his  power,  and  the 
surgeon-general  promised  another  interview  with  the  same  committee 
at  Mrs.  Reid's  house  in  New  York,  Sunday  afternoon,  July  17.  The 
result  of  this  interview  is  thus  staled  in  a  letter  from  General  Sternberg 
to  Mrs.  Reid: 


I  take  pleasure  in  confirming  by  letter  the  arrangements  made  at  our  interview 
in  New  York  on  the  17th  instant. 

I  am  quite  willing  to  employ  female  nurses  vouched  for  by  3'ourself  as  secre- 
tary of  the  Red  Cross  Society  for  Maintenance  of  Trained  Nurses.  I  had  previously 
made  very  satisfactory  arrangements  for  the  employment  of  trained  female  nurses 
through  a  committee  of  the  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution.  As  I  said  to 
you  during  our  interview,  I  recognize  the  value  of  trained  female  nurses  in  general 


WOMAN'S  AUXILIARIES  OF  THR  RED  CROSS.       495 

hospitals,  and  we  expect  to  make  use  of  their  services  to  such  an  extent  as  seems 
to  be  desirable.  But  I  do  not  approve  of  sending  female  nurses  with  troops  in 
the  field  or  to  camps  of  instruction.  It  is  the  intention  to  transfer  the  seriously 
sick  men  from  our  field  hospitals  to  the  general  hospitals  as  soon  as  practicable; 
and  we  wish  our  enlisted  men  of  the  Hospital  Corps  to  lake  care  of  the  sick 
in  the  Division  Field  hospitals  and  in  camps  of  instruction,  so  that  they  may 
be  fully  prepared  to  perform  the  same  duties  when  the  troops  are  in  active 
operations. 

Among  these  privates  of  the  Hospital  Corps  who  constitute  the  Red  Cross 
organization  of  the  regular  military  service,  and  who  are  non-combatants  in 
accordance  with  the  terms  of  the  Geneva  Convention,  we  have  many  medical 
students  and  even  graduates  in  medicine. 

I  have  made  an  exception  with  reference  to  sending  female  nurses  to  Cuba  in 
view  of  the  outbreak  of  yellow  fever  in  Santiago,  and  am  now  sending  innnune 
nurses,  both  male  and  female,  for  duty  at  the  yellow  fever  hospitals.  In  accord- 
ance with  our  agreement,  you  are  authorized  to  send  ten  female  trained  nurses, 
selected  by  yourself,  to  the  Leiter  Hospital  at  Camp  Thomas,  Ga.;  ten  to  the  U.  S. 
General  Hospital  at  Fort  Monroe,  Va.;  and  two  to  the  hospital  at  Fort  Wadsworth, 
N.  Y.,  the  understanding  being  that  those  at  Fort  Monroe  and  at  Fort  Wadsworth 
shall  be  boarded  and  lodged  outside  of  the  hospital. 

Thanking  you  very  sincerely  for  your  earnest  efiforts  in  behalf  of  our  sick  and 
wounded  soldiers,  I  am,  etc. 


This  letter  was  accompanied  by  an  order  for  twenty  nurses  to  be 
.sent  at  once  to  the  hospitals  in  the  city  of  Charleston. 

As  a  result  of  this  permis.sion  of  the  government,  three  men 
nurses  were  sent  on  July  21  to  the  Marine  Hospital  at  Staten  Island, 
and  Miss  Marjorie  Hen.shall  went  with  three  women  nurses  to  the  Po.st 
Ho.spital  at  Fort  Wadsworth,  where  a  number  of  sick  and  woinuled 
officers  had  just  been  landed  from  the  "  Olivette."  An  example  of  the 
immediate  benefit  resulting  from  the  increased  powers  of  the  auxiliary 
may  be  found  in  the  case  of  one  of  the  lieutenants  in  the  regular 
army,  who  had  l3een  ill  with  fever  for  weeks  in  Santiago  witliout 
proper  care,  and  who  had  reached  New  York  in  an  almo.st  dying 
condition.  The  surgeons  in  charge  attributed  his  recovery  to  the 
timely  arrival  of  the  nurses  under  Miss  Henshall. 

In  further  accordance  with  the  surgeon -general's  permis.sion,  the 
nurses  who  were  on  waiting  orders  at  Tampa  were  sent  to  the  Leiter 
Hospital  near  Chattanooga,  where  ten  were  immediately  placed  on  duty 
by  the  chief  surgeon,  Major  Carter  ;  and  as  they  could  not  be  provided 
for  in  the  hospital  building,  Mi.ss  Gill  went  to  Chattanooga  to  arrange 
for  their  maintenance  in  quarters  near  by.  The  service  at  the  Leiter 
Hospital  was  peculiarly  hard,  and  one  of  the  nurses,  Miss  Phinney, 


496  THE   RED   CROSS. 

died  there  as  a  result  of  the  great  mental  and  physicial  strain  to  which 
she  was  subjected. 

Ten  nurses  were  sent  on  July  22  to  the  General  Hospital,  Fort 
Monroe,  in  charge  of  Miss  Lida  G.  Starr.  As  this  hospital  consisted 
largely  of  tents,  it  was  necessary  for  the  nurses  to  be  maintained  in 
hotels,  in  the  neighborhood.  Later,  other  nurses  came,  and  soon  the 
entire  force,  with  two  exceptions,  had  signed  contracts  with  the  govern- 
ment, but  were  maintained  at  the  expense  of  the  auxiliary.  The  total 
number  of  nurses  maintained  by  the  auxiliary  in  service  at  this  place 
was  at  times  as  large  as  forty -five.  Ten  other  nurses,  maintained  by 
the  Woman's  War  Relief  Association,  shared  in  the  w^ork  there.  In 
all  seventeen  hundred  patients  were  treated  at  this  hospital,  of  whom 
only  thirty-four  died.  To  Miss  Starr  is  due  much  credit  for  the 
admirable  management  of  the  funds  intrusted  to  her  by  the  auxiliary, 
and  for  the  sedulous  care  she  bestowed  upon  the  welfare  of  the  nurses. 
Onl)'  this,  as  they  themselves  realized,  made  it  possible  for  them  to 
perform  so  remarkable  a  work, — a  work  of  which  Major  De  Witt,  the 
surgeon  in  charge,  said:  "I  am  satisfied  that  whatever  success  we 
may  have  had  in  the  treatment  of  our  sick  and  wounded  has  been 
in  great  measure  due  to  the  skill  and  devotion  of  the  female  nurses. ' ' 

Our  labor  at  Charleston  involved  somewhat  different  necessities. 
The  city  hospitals  were  crowded  with  soldiers  who  had  been  taken  ill 
on  their  way  from  the  camps  to  the  transports.  Additional  nurses 
were  thus  greatly  needed,  and  on  July  24  twenty,  in  charge  of  Miss 
Martha  L.  Draper,  were  sent  to  meet  the  emergency.  That  their 
serv'ices  were  valuable  and  appreciated  is  shown  hy  the  testimonials 
granted  them  by  the  Board  of  Commissioners  of  the  City  Hospital  of 
Charleston. 

When,  in  early  August,  the  steamship  "Missouri"  was  bought 
by  the  government  for  a  hospital  ship,  Mrs.  Reid  offered  women 
nurses  to  the  officer  in  charge,  Major  Arthur.  As  the  construction  of 
the  ship  did  not  afford  accommodations  which  permitted  the  presence 
of  women  on  board,  this  offer  was  changed.  The  department  had 
allowed  Major  Arthur  ten  male  nurses,  but  the  government  salary  did 
not  command  the  quality  of  service  which  the  special  work  of  superinten- 
dence required.  It  was  therefore  proposed  to  choose,  under  the  advice 
of  Dr.  Fisher,  of  the  Presbyterian  Hospital,  a  small  supplementary 
corps  of  exceptionally  able  nurses,  who  could  assume  the  responsibility 
of  the  wards.  When  these  men  had  been  chosen,  they  impressed 
Major  Arthur  so   favorably  that   he   decided  to  dispense  with  the  ten 


WOMAN'S  AUXILIARIES  OK  THE   RED  CROSS.       497 

nurses  allowed  him  by  the  government,  take  these  selected  men  under 
contract,  pay  them  the  regulation  salary,  and  leave  upon  the  auxiliary 
the  expense  only  of  the  additional  salary  necessary  to  command  this 
superior  nursing  ability.  The  men  retained  the  position  of  Red  Cross 
nurses,  and  wore  the  special  uniform  provided  by  the  auxiliary.  Ten 
men  made  the  trip  to  Santiago,  but  for  the  second  and  third  trips  the 
staff  was  increased  to  fourteen.  The  spirit  and  capacity  of  these  men 
were  severely  tested  on  the  first  voyage  by  the  unprepared  state  in  which 
the  emergency  required  that  the  "  Missouri  "  be  sent  South,  but  they 
met  their  labors  and  hardships  in  a  way  which  brought  forth  Major 
Arthur's  warmest  praise. 

Forty-two  nurses  have  in  the  course  of  the  summer  been  sent  10 
Fort  Wadsworth.  Staten  Island,  where,  under  the  able  management  of 
Miss  Marjorie  Henshall,  effective  service  has  been  rendered,  giving 
absolute  satisfaction  to  the  surgeons  in  charge. 

At  Governor's  Island  Miss  Alice  Marie  Wyckoff  and  Miss  Barker 
have  represented  the  auxiliary.  Early  in  July  they  were  occupied  on 
Swinburn  Island  in  caring  for  the  many  patients  who  arrived  on  the 
"  Concho  ;  "  and  when  those  patients  were  transferred  to  Governor's 
Island,  Major  Kimball,  the  surgeon  in  charge,  asked  that  the  nurses 
be  sent  there  to  assist  his  hospital  corps.  This  request  was  granted, 
and  additional  nurses  have  since  been  supplied.  He  speaks  in 
high  terms  of  what  these  nurses  have  done  to  aid  him,  and  of  their 
conspicuous  success  in  rousing  apathetic  patients  to  assist  in  their  own 
recovery. 

The  situation  of  these  two  harbor  hospitals,  and  of  the  hospital  at 
Fort  Hamilton,  was  especially  favorable  for  the  treatment  of  the  very 
sick  patients  re(eived  from  the  transports  directly  from  Santiago,  or 
from  the  general  hospital  at  Camp  Wikoff.  The  remarkably  small 
death-rate  is  directly  attributable  to  the  skill  and  devotion  of  the  sur- 
geons and  nurses,  to  the  carefully  prepared  food,  and  to  the  sea  air 
blowing  through  the  tents.  "  It  has  been  most  wonderful,"  remarked 
Miss  Ellen  M.  Wood,  who  was  in  charge  of  the  nurses  at  Fort 
Hamilton,  "  to  watch  the  soldiers  grow  young  again  "  amid  such  sur- 
roundings. The  part  which  Miss  Wood  and  her  assistants  played  in 
this  beneficial  change  may  be  indicated  by  a  quotation  from  a  recent 
letter  to  the  acting  president  of  the  auxiliary  from  Major  and  Brigade 
Surgeon  RafFerty,  commanding  the  General  Hospital  at  Fort 
Hamilton: 


498  THK   RED   CROSS. 

Miss  E.  M.  Wood,  with  five  nurses,  will  report  to  you  on  Saturday,  October 
15,  1S98.  They  have  been  on  duty  with  nie  in  the  camp  and  wards  of  the  United 
States  General  Hospital  at  this  place  for  the  past  six  or  eight  weeks,  and  have 
rendered  me  noble,  efiicient  and  conscientious  work. 

I  wish  you  would  express  to  your  auxiliary  for  me  my  great  appreciation  of 
leir  efforts  to  ameliorate  the  suffering  and  sickness  of  our  soldiers  returning  from 
lie  seat  of  war.  Were  I  to  choose  the  most  worthy  and  successful  body  of  workers 
from  among  all  the  generous  people  who  have  been  rendering  .such  beautiful  aid 
to  our  sick  and  wounded,  I  should  unhesitatingly  point  to  your  Auxiliary  for  the 
Maintenance  of  Trained  Nurses. 


Much  has  been  accompli.shed  by  the  mission  of  the  special  com- 
mittee to  the  surgeon -general  in  July  ;  but  later  in  the  month  it 
becaine  increa.singly  apparent  that  some  simpler  routine  of  co-operation 
with  the  government  must  be  established  in  order  to  secure  the  more 
rapid  placing  of  the  nurses.  Under  the  existing  conditions,  all  nurses 
ordered  to  army  hospitals  were  selected  b}^  the  Daughters  of  the 
American  Revolution  Hospital  Corps,  con.sisting  of  Dr.  Anita  Newcomb 
McGee,  director;  Miss  Mary  Desha  and  Mrs.  Francis  G.  Nash, 
assistant  directors;  and  Mrs.  Amos  G.  Draper,  trea.surer.  This  hos- 
pital corps  did  noble  work  for  the  cause,  and  its  co-operation  was 
highly  appreciated  by  the  auxiliary.  Dr.  McGee,  on  whose  advice  in 
these  matters  the  surgeon-general  greatly  relied,  was  indefatigable  in 
her  efforts,  working  day  and  night  and  month  after  month. 

But  since  Congress  had  provided  no  special  fund  for  the  transpor- 
tation of  nurses,  considerable  delay  had  always  occurred  before  the 
nurses  could  reach  the  army  hospitals;  and  as  these  hospitals  were 
rapidly  filling  up  with  patients  in  consequence  of  the  outbreak  of 
typhoid  and  malarial  fevers  in  the  different  camps,  the  effects  of  such 
delay  became  daily  more  dangerous.  The  acting  president  went  again 
to  Washington,  and  after  conference  with  Dr.  McGee  and  other 
members  of  this  hospital  corps,  placed  a  fund  of  five  hundred  dollars 
in  the  hands  of  Mrs.  Draper,  as  acting  treastirer,  to  meet  transporta- 
tion expenses  originating  at  Washington.  This  fund  was  most 
efficiently  managed  by  Mrs.  Draper,  and  was  replenished  from  time  to 
tinie  until  September  6,  when  $5425.80  had  been  so  disbursed. 
Thereafter  the  government  assumed  the  entire  expense  of  transportation. 

This  general  subject  of  transportation  was  one  regarding  which 
the  auxiliary  was  able  to  render  substantial  service,  and  merits  a  few 
descriptive  words.  The  pressure  upon  the  Quartermaster's  Depart- 
ment  at  Washington    during    the  summer  made  it  impossible  to  be 


""*"  "  II 


WOMAN'S  AUXIIJARIRS  OF  TIIK   RKD  CROSS.       501 

certain  of  iiuinediate  transportation  for  nurses  to  their  posts  of  duty. 
Even  after  orders  were  received,  the  nurses  might  be  delayed  several 
days  for  the  necessary  transportation  pass.  Under  ordinary  circum- 
stances this  might  have  seemed  comparatively  unimportant;  but  when 
a  new  hospital  is  opened  and  scores  of  patients  lie  waiting  for  the  care 
which  can  be  given  only  by  the  expected  nurses,  it  is  a  matter  of  vital 
importance  whether  they  come  in  twelve  hours  or  a  week. 

When  the  auxiliary  acceded  to  the  suggestion  from  Wd.shington, 
and  undertook  to  relieve  this  pressure  by  paying  the  transportation  of 
nurses  who  could  not  otherwise  be  put  into  immediate  service,  quite 
a  change  in  plan  was  made.  A  number  of  nurses  were  ordered  to 
New  York  by  Dr.  McGee,  and  were  held  in  readiness  to  respond  to 
requests  from  any  part  of  the  country.  These  nurses,  added  to  the 
numbers  being  constantly  enlisted  here,  made  a  substantial  reserve  for 
sudden  calls.  In  a  few  hours  after  a  telegram  asking  for  a  given  number 
of  nurses  was  received,  the  nurses  could  meet  at  the  railway  station, 
find  an  agent  of  the  auxiliary  there,  who  would  distribute  the  tickets 
and  sleeping-car  accommodations  that  had  already  been  secured,  check 
their  trunks,  provide  for  the  payment  of  the  incidental  expenses  of 
the  journey,  and  see  the  party  off  for  its  destination.  It  is  believed 
that  the  money,  labor  and  thought  expended  in  this  w^ay  brought  a 
rich  return. 

As  the  responsibilities  of  the  auxiliary  developed,  the  need  of  a 
permanent  office  became  apparent.  In  the  absence  of  the  president 
and  first  and  second  vice-presidents,  Mrs.  Cowdin  became  acting-presi- 
dent, and  from  July  28  to  September  20  headquarters  for  the  auxiliary 
were  maintained  at  her  residence.  No.  15  West  Kleventh  street.  Since 
September  20  the  office  of  the  auxiliar>'  has  been  at  Mrs.  Reid's  resi- 
dence. No.  451  Madison  avenue.  The  scope  and  interest  of  the  work 
increased  daily,  and  its  details  required  the  entire  attention  of  the 
executive  officer,  her  assistants.  Miss  Gill  and  Miss  Wadley,  a  stenog- 
rapher and  a  bookkeeper.  In  addition,  Mrs.  W.  Bayard  Cutting,  Mrs. 
W.  Lanman  Bull  and  Mrs.  Geo.  F.  Shrady,  Jr.,  of  the  executive  com- 
mittee, though  compelled  to  be  out  of  town,  were  in  frequent  conmuini- 
cation  with  the  New  York  office,  and,  in  town  and  out,  labored 
constantly  to  render  the  auxiliary  more  effective. 

On  August  10,  Miss  Gill,  who  from  the  l^eginning  gave  herself 
completely  to  the  work,  and  whose  services  were  of  inestimable  value, 
went  to  Washington  to  clear  up  several  points  relative  to  the  enlist- 
ment of  nurses.     Aside   from   the   adjustment  of  some   details,   two 


502  THE   RED   CROSS. 

important  results  were  obtained.  One  of  these  was  the  appointment 
by  the  surgeon-general  of  the  acting  president  of  the  auxiliary  as  direct 
superintendent  of  the  nurses  at  Fort  Wad.sworth,  Fort  Hamilton  and 
Governor's  Island,  with  full  power  to  appoint,  transfer  and  recall  them; 
the  other,  to  which  fuller  reference  will  be  hereafter  made,  was  permis- 
sion for  Miss  Maxwell,  of  the  Presbyterian  Hospital,  New  York,  to  go 
to  Chickamauga  with  a  party  of  nurses  chosen  by  her.  The  Red  Cross 
Hospital  in  New  York,  from  which  the  nurses  had  theretofore  been 
enlisted,  being  temporarily  closed,  Miss  Maxwell  offered  her  office  at 
the  Pre-sbyterian  Hospital  for  the  registration  of  nurses  sent  out  by  the 
auxiliary;  and  at  her  urgent  request,  Miss  K.  M.  Pierce,  superintendent 
of  the  Samaritan  Hospital  at  Troy,  who  was  then  in  New  York, 
devoted  her  vacation  to  making  arrangements  for  the  registration  and 
transportation  of  the  large  number  of  nurses  called  into  the  city.  After 
September  i  this  work  devolved  upon  Miss  Wadley,  and  was  trans- 
ferred to  a  separate  bureau  at  No.  6  East  Forty-second  street,  where, 
under  her  direction,  it  has  reached  a  high  degree  of  efficiency. 

One  of  the  largest  fields  of  the  auxiliary's  activity  was  at  Chick- 
amauga. The  typhoid  epidemic  which  broke  out  in  all  the  camps  of 
instruction  where  our  troops  were  stationed  severely  taxed  the  resources 
of  the  division  hospitals.  The  surgeons  had  to  rely  mainly  on  the 
services  of  untrained  men,  and  while  the  great  need  for  the  services  of 
women  was  apparent,  their  employment  in  military  camps  had  not  then 
been  attempted.  Nowhere  were  the  conditions  more  threatening  than 
at  Chickamauga;  and  toward  the  end  of  July,  Miss  Maud  Cromelien, 
an  agent  of  the  auxiliary,  visited  the  Division  Hospitals  at  Camp 
Thomas.  The  need  for  prompt  relief  there  manifested  was  imperative; 
and,  acting  under  authority  from  New  York,  she  made  the  following 
offer  on  behalf  of  the  auxiliary  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hoff,  surgeon- 
in-chief  at  the  camp,  namely:  to  supply  at  least  one  division  hospital 
with  nurses;  to  meet  all  expenses  of  maintaining  the  nurses;  and  to 
erect,  equip,  and  supply  tents  for  their  occupation;  to  supplj^  a  com- 
petent supervising  nurse,  and  to  make  the  entire  party  subject  to  the 
orders  of  the  chief  surgeon.  This  offer  was  reported  to  the  surgeon- 
general  at  Washington,  and  by  his  direction  accepted.  Through  the 
kindness  of  the  managers  of  the  Presbyterian  Hospital,  the  auxiliary  had 
the  great  good  fortune  to  secure  the  consent  of  the  superintendent  of 
their  training  school.  Miss  Maxwell,  to  take  charge  of  this  relief  party. 

Miss  Maxwell  at  once  threw  herself  into  the  arduous  task,  and 
having  obtained  twenty  most  capable  nurses,  with  promises  of  many 


WOMAN'S  AUXILIARIES  OF  THE  RED  CROvSS.       503 

more  to  follow,  selected  Miss  Frances  A.  vStone  as  assistant  snperin- 
tendent,  and  started  from  New  York  with  the  party  August  7.  In  the 
meantime,  under  the  supervision  of  Miss  Cromelien,  dormitories  and 
other  accommodations  had  been  provided  at  Camp  Thomas,  not  only 
for  this  party,  but  for  the  large  number  of  additional  nurses  that  were 
expected.  Upon  reaching  the  camp,  Miss  Maxwell  inspected  the 
division  hospitals,  and  then,  by  arrangement  with  the  government 
authorities,  took  charge  of  the  nursing  at  the  Sternberg  United  States 
F'ield  Hospital,  which  had  just  been  opened  to  receive  the  overflow  of 
patients  from  the  crowded  division  hospitals.  The  suffering  of  the 
patients,  and  the  pitiable  lack  of  almost  everything  necessary  to  their 
proper  care,  are  described  by  Miss  Maxwell  as  among  the  saddest 
sights  in  her  long  experience.  Yet  out  of  all  this  misery  and  chaos 
much  alleviation  of  pain  and  admirable  order  were  soon  brought. 
Beginning  with  136  patients,  900  were  received  during  the  four  weeks 
of  Miss  Maxwell's  superintendence.  Of  these  470  were  furloughed  and 
68  died.  In  all  the  auxiliary  expended  at  Chickauianga,  for  buildings, 
equipment,  nurses,  supplies  and  maintenance,  more  than  $c)000.  In 
concluding  her  report  of  the  work  to  the  managers  of  the  Presbyterian 
Hospital,  Miss  Maxwell  wrote  among  other  things: 


I  cannot  say  enough  in  praise  of  the  liberality  and  thoughtfulness  of  the 
auxiliary  of  the  Red  Cross  in  supplying  us  with  eight  dormitories,  a  bath-house, 
s*ore-roonis,  kitchen,  dining-room,  house-keeper,  servants,  aud  not  only  the 
necessities,  but  many  of  the  luxuries  of  life. 


This  proposition  of  organizing  a  large  field  hospital  with  women 
nurses  was  at  first  generally  looked  upon  as  impracticable.  It  was 
urged  that  it  had  never  been  done,  that  women  could  not  endure  the 
hardships  of  field  life,  and  that  they  would  be  an  embarrassment  in  the 
camj)s,  and  so  it  was  altogether  as  an  experiment  that  the  nurses  were 
allowed  to  begin  their  work  at  the  Sternberg  Hospital.  Something  of 
the  success  of  the  experiment  in  changing  the  attitude  of  the  surgeons 
toward  the  idea  of  women  nurses  in  the  field  is  shown  by  the  following 
letter  from  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hoff  to  Miss  Cromelien,  in  which  he 
says: 

I  desire  to  express  my  sense  of  obligation  to  yon  and  the  society  you  represent 
for  the  generous  offer  made  on  the  2d  of  .\ugust  to  supply  Sternberg  Hospital 
•with  trained  nurses  and  meet  all  their  natural  wants,  which  offer,  with  the 
approval  of  the  surgeon-general  of  the  army,  I  accepted  on  the  3d  mstant. 


504  THR    RED    CROSS. 

A  very  short  time  after  this  you  established  a  nursing  service  in  this  field 
hospital,  which  I  venture  to  say  is  not  surjiassed  in  any  hospital,  and  is  equaled 
in  few,— a  service  which  already  has  brought  to  our  sick  soldiers  untold  comfort, 
and  is  aiding  materially  in  their  restoration  to  health  and  strength.  Certainly  no 
nobler  undertaking  could  be  inaugurated  and  carried  out  by  the  women  of  our 
cxjuutry,  and  noue  deserving  of  greater  appreciation. 


The  following  tribute  from  Major  GifFen,  the  surgeon  in  command 
at  the  Sternberg  Hospital,  is  equally  significant: 


The  Red  Cross  Societ)'  for  the  Maintenance  of  Trained  Nurses  can  truly  say, 
Veni,  Vidi,  Vici,  for  without  their  helping  hand  I  would  have  been  unable  to  have 
stayed  the  dread  disease  that  has  been  raging  in  our  camp.  Their  helping  hand 
came  in  the  hour  of  need,  and  the  history  of  the  future  shall  record  each  and  every 
member  of  the  Red  Cross  Society  as  the  guardian  angels  of  the  Sternberg  Hos- 
pital. My  experience  of  years  of  hospital  work  has  enabled  me  to  judge  of  the 
abilities  of  nurses,  and  I  am  proud  to  say  that  this  corps  of  nurses,  under  the 
excellent  supervision  of  Miss  Maxwell,  has  never  before  been  equaled. 


About  the  first  of  August  the  arrival  of  the  transports  from  San- 
tiago, and  the  opening  of  Camp  Wikoff,  at  Montauk  Point,  afforded 
another  great  opportunity.  The  call,  however,  was  sudden,  and  no 
chance  was  given  to  the  auxiliary  to  provide  tents  specially  fitted  for 
the  comfort  of  the  nurses,  as  was  done  at  the  Sternberg  Hospital.  By 
special  arrangement  with  the  surgeon-general,  the  nurses  ordered  by 
him  to  Montauk  reported  to  the  acting  president  of  the  auxiliary  and 
were  sent  forward  immediately,  or,  as  the  occasion  demanded,  were 
cared  for  over  night.  Much  has  been  said  in  criticism  of  the  hospital 
conditions  at  Montauk,  and  too  little  of  the  fine  service  of  the  surgeons 
and  nurses,  who,  under  trying  conditions,  worked  day  and  night  to 
save  the  lives  of  their  patients.  Under  the  efficient  management  of 
Mrs.  ly.  W.  Quintard,  of  St.  Luke's  Hospital,  the  nurses  took  up 
their  labors  with  enthusiasm  and  with  a  determination  to  make  the  best 
of  existing  circumstances.  By  personal  visits  to  the  camp  the  acting 
president  was  enabled  to  ameliorate  in  many  ways  the  hard  conditions 
under  which  the  nurses  were  so  bravely  working.  Supplies  of  all  sorts 
were  sent  down  with  the  least  possible  dela3^ 

In  the  Detention  Hospital,  at  Camp  Wikoff,  the  fifty  nurses  to 
whose  special  needs  Miss  Virginia  C.  Young  devoted  herself  on  behalf 
of    the   auxiliary,    cared   for   nearly    eighteen   hundred   seriously    ill 


WOMAN'S  AUXILIARIES  OF  THE  RED  CROSS.       505 

soldiers,  many  of  whom  had  had  yellow  fever  in  Cuba,  and  were  suf- 
fering, when  brought  to  the  hospital,  from  typhoid  fever,  pernicious 
malarial  fever  and  dysentery.  A  few  had  measles  or  diphtheria.  Sixty- 
two,  or  rather  less  than  4  per  cent,  of  these  patients  died,  a  result  which 
is  believed  to  bear  striking  testimony  to  the  quality  and  success  of  the 
care  they  received.  In  a  graphic  account  of  her  experience  at  this 
hospital  Miss  Young  writes: 


I  wish  I  could  make  the  women  of  the  auxiliary  fully  understand  what  their 
splendid  generosity  meant  to  us  who  had  the  joy  of  ministering  in  their  name. 
For  the  fifty  women  who  fought  day  by  day  that  grim  battle  with  disease  and 
death  could  but  have  wrung  their  hands  in  hopeless  impotence  had  it  not  been  for 
the  hundreds  of  other  women  by  whose  aid  we  were  able  to  carry  on  our  work. 
One  could  have  no  more  eloquent  testimony  to  this  than  that  furnished  by  a  walk 
through  one  of  the  fever  wards  of  Detention  Hospital,  where  the  men  lay  on  Red 
Cross  cots,  in  Red  Cross  pajamas,  covered  by  Red  Cross  sheets  and  blankets,  and 
taking  their  Red  Cross  medicines  or  broth  or  delicacies  from  Red  Cross  cups  and 
glasses  at  the  hands  of  Red  Cross  nurses. 


Through  the  energy  of  Mrs.  M.  H.  Willard,  agent  for  the  auxili- 
ary, and  with  the  permission  of  Colonel  Forwood,  a  diet  kitchen  was 
opened  at  the  General  Hospital,  at  Camp  Wikoff,  for  the  sick  and  con- 
valescent soldiers.  The  expense  of  maintaining  this  kitchen  was 
shortly  afterwards  entirely  assumed  by  the  government  and  by  the 
Massachusetts  Volunteer  Aid  Association.  So  successful  was  its  opera- 
tion under  Mrs.  Willard's  administration  that  four  additional  kitchens 
were  opened.  It  is  estimated  that  more  than  twenty  thousand  specially 
prepared  meals  for  the  sick  and  the  convalescent  have  been  served  from 
these  five  kitchens. 

When  the  rooms  of  the  Long  Lsland  City  Relief  Station  were 
opened,  near  the  railroad  station,  this  auxiliary  offered  to  supply  the 
services  of  a  physician  and  nurses,  and  continued  to  do  so  until,  by 
reason  of  the  removal  of  the  troops,  the  need  for  the  relief  station 
ceased.  One  does  not  soon  forget  the  first  days  when  the  soldiers 
began  to  arrive,  the  kindly  interest  felt  by  every  one  in  and  about  the 
railroad  station,  the  eagerness  of  the  small  newsboy  to  show  the  soldiers 
where  the  "Red  Cross"  was.  To  the  soldier  himself,  weakened  by 
illness  and  the  fatigue  of  the  journey,  the  place  seemed  a  veritable 
haven  of  rest.  Arrangements  were  made  by  the  ladies  in  charge  to 
send  the  very  sick  men  immediately  to  the  hospitals  in  Brooklyn  and 


5o6  THE   RED    CROSS. 

New  York.  The  others  were  given  proper  food  and  cared  for  until 
morning,  or  for  the  .several  days  that  .sometimes  elapsed  until  the 
.soldier  was  able  to  continue  his  journey. 

Through  the  efforts  of  Mrs.  Whitelaw  Reid,  and  by  the  kindness 
of  the  president  of  the  Wagner  Car  Company,  the  cars  "  Franconia  " 
and  "  Wayne"  were  placed  at  the  service  of  the  auxiliary,  and  under 
its  direction  were  fitted  up  and  maintained  as  hospital  cars.  Sur- 
geons and  nurses  accompanied  these  cars  on  the  trips  from  Montauk, 
and  ministered  to  those  among  the  returning  soldiers  who  needed 
special  care.  At  Montauk  itself  the  tents  erected  by  the  Red  Cross 
Relief  Committee  at  the  railway  station,  a  distance  of  two  or  three 
miles  from  the  hospital  and  camp,  were  supplied  with  nurses  by  the 
auxiliary. 

Some  excellent  emergency  work  was  accomplished  by  the  aux- 
iliary at  the  time  of  the  outbreak  of  typhoid  fever  at  Camp  Black. 
Twelve  nurses  were  selected,  and  at  the  urgent  request  of  the  acting 
president.  Miss  Irene  Sutliffe  of  the  New  York  Hospital,  consented  to 
take  them  to  the  camp  on  September  4,  and  organize  a  hospital  under 
conditions  which  would  have  daunted  the  courage  of  most  women. 
Nothing  but  tents  and  beds  were  provided  for  the  reception  of  the  one 
hundred  and  fifty  patients,  mo.st  of  whom  were  very  ill.  Supplies  of 
all  kinds,  including  a  complete  diet  kitchen  outfit,  were  sent  to  the 
camp  by  the  auxiliary.  Additional  nurses  were  furnished,  and  every 
effort  was  made  to  aid  Miss  Sutliffe  and  her  staff  in  their  arduous 
labors.  It  is  rjratifying  to  learn  that  in  this  way  much  suffering,  and 
perhaps  loss  of  life,  was  averted.  On  September  20  the  patients  then 
remaining  were  transferred  to  the  Nassau  Hospital,  Hempstead. 

The  destruction  of  Admiral  Cervera's  fleet,  and  the  landing  of  the 
Spanish  prisoners  at  Seavey's  Island,  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  gave  the 
auxiliary  another  opportunity  for  service.  Learning  that  it  was 
impossible  for  the  government  surgeons  to  obtain  nurses  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Portsmouth ,  the  acting  president  made  a  personal  request 
to  the  surgeon-general  of  the  navy  to  authorize  the  sending  of  six 
men  nurses.  This  application  was  granted.  In  the  two  pavilions 
temporarily  erected  for  the  patients  the  nurses  went  to  work  with 
enthusiasm.  They  found  the  patients  easily  managed  and  always 
grateful  for  what  was  done  for  them.  The  nurses  were  able  to  excite 
feelings  of  such  trust  and  confidence  that  these  same  patients,  when 
placed  upon  the  "  City  of  Rome  "  for  their  homeward  journey,  asked 
that  the    Red  Cross   nurses  should  go  with  them   to   Spain,      '^his 


WOMAN'S  AUXIUARIKS  OF  THK  RED  CROSS.       507 

request  was  granted,  and  Mr.  Bray  man,  who  was  in  charge  of  the 
party,  reports  that  the  nurses  were  treated  with  much  courtesy  and 
cordiaHty,  and  that  the  voyage  was  accomplished  without  the  loss  of 
a  single  patient.  It  will  be  remembered  that  at  the  time  of  the  sailing 
of  the  "City  of  Rome"  many  of  the  Spanish  prisoners  were  not 
expected  to  live  to  reach  their  native  land.  At  Santander  the  nurses 
were  warmly  welcomed  by  the  Spanish  representatives  of  the  Red  Cross 
Society.  Mr.  Brayman  speaks  of  meeting  one  of  his  former  patients 
in  the  streets  of  Santander,  still  wearing  the  United  States  uniform. 
On  inquiry,  the  man  replied,  "This  blouse  was  given  me  with  three 
stripes  and  two  stars.  I  shall  w^ear  them  all."  At  Bilboa  the  nurses 
received  an  especially  cordial  reception,  and  the  American  and  Spanish 
representatives  of  the  society  which  bears  for  its  emblem,  "  Neutrality, 
Humanity,"  exchanged  brassards.  Mr.  Brayman  afterward  sent  the 
brassard  which  was  received  by  such  exchange  to  a  representative  of 
the  auxiliary  in  New  York,  with  a  letter  from  which  the  following 
extract  is  taken:  "  It  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  tell  you  that  I  do  not 
believe  any  country  can  boast  of  a  truer  or  nobler  son  than  the  young 
Spanish  gentleman  who  formerly  wore  this  emblem.  His  mother 
expressed  a  wish  that  one  of  the  nurses  might  become  ill  there,  that 
she  might  show  how  an  American  would  be  cared  for  b}^  her." 

Nurses  were  also  sent  by  the  auxiliary  to  the  Eighth  Regiment 
Home  at  Hunter's  Island,  and  to  the  Home  for  Soldiers  opened  by  the 
citizens  of  Sag  Harbor,  Long  Island. 

Supplementing  these  various  branches  of  hospital  service,  two 
homes  for  convalescent  soldiers  were  established  under  the  direction  of 
the  auxiliary.  One  of  these,  Eunice  Home  of  Chapel  Hill,  beautifully 
situated  at  Atlantic  Highlands,  N.  J.,  was  offered  to  the  auxiliary  by 
the  trustees  of  the  Chapel  Hill  Fresh  Air  Mission.  Miss  M.  E.  Mel- 
ville and  Dr.  G.  R.  Winder  were  placed  in  charge,  with  a  staff  of 
nurses  and  servants,  and  several  hundred  soldiers  have  been  cared  for. 
Through  the  liberality  of  the  Church  of  the  Incarnation,  our  other 
home,  the  Summer  Home  Rest  at  Peekskill,  was  opened  September  19, 
and  has,  aided  by  the  untiring  efforts  of  Mrs.  W.  Lanman  Bull,  cared 
for  forty -two  convalescent  men  Every  effort  has  been  made  in  the.se 
homes  to  make  the  men  happy,  and  they  have  returned  to  their 
regiments  greatly  improved  in  health,  and  in  many  cases  quite 
recovered. 

But  it  was  not  the  soldiers  alone  who  demanded  the  aid  of  the 
auxiliary.     The  nurses  themselves  have  also  been  objects  of  anxious 


5o8  THR  RED  CROSS. 

care.  Unless  their  capacity  for  efficient  service  had  l)een  maintained, 
all  our  efforts  would  have  been  paralyzed.  While  in  New  York 
awaiting  orders,  they  were  placed  in  excellent  boarding  houses, 
through  a  sati.sfactory  arrangement  made  by  the  auxiliary  with  the 
Home  Bureau  of  No.  15  West  Forty-second  street.  At  every  camp 
and  hospital  where  they  were  stationed  we  undertook  to  supply  them 
with  pure  water  and  milk,  with  nourishing  food,  and  such  other 
comforts  as  would  increase  their  efficiency  and  remind  them  of  the 
support  and  sympathy  they  were  receiving  at  home.  When  any  nurse 
has  succumbed  to  the  strain  and  fallen  ill,  every  effort  has  been  made 
to  relieve  her  suffering  and  to  restore  her  speedily  to  health.  And  to 
aid  that  happy  result,  a  home  for  convalescent  nurses,  through  the 
generosity  of  Mrs.  Alice  Dean  Ward,  was  opened  early  in  November 
at  Ro  way  ton.  Conn. 


THE  WOMEN  WHO   WENT  TO  THE   FlElvD.        509 


THE  WOMEN  WHO  WENT  TO  THE  FIELD. 

The  following  poem  is  here  inserted  because  of  its  prophetic  appli- 
cation to  those  women  who,  during  the  Spanish-American  War,  went 
bravely  to  field  and  camp  to  minister  to  the  sick  and  the  wounded. 
The  poem  was  read  by  Clara  Barton  at  the  farewell  Reception  and 
Banquet  by  the  Ladies  of  the  Potomac  Corps,  at  Willard's  Hotel, 
Washington,  D.  C,  Friday  evening,  November  18,  1892,  in  response 
to  the  toast: 


The  Women  Who  Went  to  the  Field. 


The  women  who  went  to  the  field, 

you  say, 
The  women  who  went  to  the  field; 

and  pray 
What  did  they  go  for  ? — ^just  to  be 

in  the  way? 
They'd  not  know  the  diflference 

betwixt  work  and  play. 
And  what  did  they  know  about  war, 

anyway  ? 
What  could  they  do .?— of  what  use 

could  they  be  ? 
They  would  scream  at  the  sight  of  a  gun, 

don't  you  see? 
Just  fancy  them  round  where  the 

bugle-notes  play, 
And  the  long  roll  is  bidding  us  on 

to  the  fray. 
Imagine  their  skirts  'mong 

artillery  wheels, 
And  watch  for  their  flutter  as  they 

flee  'cross  the  fields 
When  the  charge  is  rammed  home 

and  the  fire  belches  hot; 
They  never  will  wait  for  the 

answering  shot. 
They  would  faint  at  the  first  drop  of  blood 

in  their  sight. 
What  fun  for  us  boys,— (ere  we  enter 

the  fight); 


THE   RED  CROSS. 

They  might  pick  some  liut,  and  tear  up 

some  sheets, 
And  make  us  some  jellies,  and  send  on 

their  sweets, 
And  knit  some  soft  socks  for  Uncle's  Sam's 

shoes. 
And  write  us  some  letters,  and  tell  us 

the  news. 
And  thus  it  was  settled,  by  common 

consent, 
That  husbands,  or  brothers,  or  whoever 

went. 
That  the  place  for  the  women  was  in 

their  own  homes, 
There  to  patiently  wait  until  victory 

comes. 
But  later  it  chanced — just  how, 

no  one  knew — 
That  the  lines  slipped  a  bit,  and  some 

'gan  to  crowd  through; 
And  they  went, — where  did  they  go? — Ah!  where 

did  they  ndt  ? 
Show  us  the  battle,  — the  field, — or  the 

spot 
Where  the  groans  of  the  wounded  rang  out 

on  the  air 
That  her  ear  caught  it  not,  and  her  hand 

was  not  there; 
Who  wiped  the  death  sweat  from  the  cold, 

clammy  brow, 
And  sent  home  the  message: — "  'Tis  well 

with  him  now;  " 
Who  watched  in  the  tents  whilst  the  fever 

fires  burned. 
And  the  pain-tossing  limbs  in  agony 

turned. 
And  wet  the  parched  tongue,  calmed 

delirium's  strife 
Till  the  dying  lips  murmured,  "  My  mother" 

"  My  wife?" 
And  who  were  they  all  ? — They  were  many, 

my  men  ; 
Their  records  were  kept  by  no  tabular 

pen  ; 
They  exist  in  traditions  from  father 

to  son, 
Who  recalls,  in  dim  memory,  now  here 

and  there  one. 


THE   WOMEN   WHO   WENT  TO  THE   FIELD. 

A  few  names  were  writ,  and  by  chance 

live  to-day  ; 
But  's  perishing  record,  fast  fading 

away. 
Of  those  we  recall,  there  are  scarcely 

a  score, 
Dix,  Dame,  Bickerdyke,— Edson,  Harvey 

and  Moore, 
Fales,  Wittenieyer,  Gilson,  Safford 

and  Lee, 
And  poor  Cutter  dead  in  the  sands  of 

the  sea  ; 
And  Francis  D.  Gage,  our  "  Aunt  Fanny  " 

of  old. 
Whose  voice  rang  for  freedom  when 

freedom  was  sold. 
And  Husband,  and  Etheridge,  and 

Harlan  and  Case, 
Livermore,  Alcott,  Hancock  and 

Cliase, 
And  Turner,  and  Hawley,  and  Potter 

and  Hall. 
Ah!  the  list  grows  apace,  as  they  come 

at  the  call  : 
Did  these  women  quail  at  the  sight 

of  a  gun  ? 
Will  some  soldier  tell  us  of  one 

he  saw  run  ? 
Will  he  glance  at  the  boats  on  the  great 

western  flood. 
At  Pittsburg  and  Shiloli,  did  they  faint 

at  the  blood  ? 
And  the  brave  wife  of  Grant  stood  there 

with  them  then. 
And  her  calm  stately  presence  gave  strength 

to  his  men. 
And  Mane  of  Loffan:  she  went  with  them 

too; 
A  bride,  scarcely  more  than  a  sweetheart, 

'tis  true. 
Her  young  cheek  grows  pale  when  the 

bold  troopers  ride. 
Where  the  '*  Black  Eagle  "  soars,  she  is  close 

at  his  side, 
She  staunches  his  blood,  cools  the  fever-burnt 

breath. 
And  the  wave  of  her  hand  stays  the 
/\ngel  of  Death; 


512  THE   RED   CROSS. 

She  nurses  him  back,  aud  restores 

once  again 
To  both  army  and  state  the  great 

leader  of  men. 
She  has  smoothed  his  black  plumes 

and  laid  them  to  sleep 
Whilst  the  angels  above  them  their  high 

vigils  keep; 
And  she  sits  here  alone,  with  the  snow 

on  her  brow — 
Your  cheers  for  her,  Comrades  !     Three  cheers 

for  her  now. 

[At  this  point,  as  by  one  impulse,  every  man  in  the  room  sprang  to  his  feet 
and,  led  by  General  W.  W.  Dudley,  gave  three  rousing  cheers,  while  Mrs.  Logan, 
with  her  beautiful  white  head  bent  low,  vainly  sought  to  staunch  the  fast-falling 
tears;  the  air  was  white  with  the  sympathetic  'kerchiefs  of  the  ladies,  and  the 
imposing  figure  of  Clara  Barton  standing  with  uplifted  arm,  as  if  in  signal  for  the 
cheers,  so  grandly  given,  completed  the  historic  aud  never-to-be-forgotten  scene.  ] 

And  these  were  the  women  who  went 

to  the  war; 
The  women  of  question ;  what  did  they 

go  for  ? 
Because  in  their  hearts  God  had  planted 

the  seed 
Of  pity  for  woe,  and  help  for 

its  need; 
-    They  saw,  in  high  purpose,  a  duty 

to  do. 
And  the  armor  of  right  broke  the 

barriers  through. 
Uninvited,  unaided,  unsanctioned 

ofttimes. 
With  pass,  or  without  it,  they  pressed 

on  the  lines; 
They  pressed,  they  implored,  'till  they  ran  the 

lines  through. 
And  that  was  the  "  running  "  the  men  saw 

them  do. 
'Twas  a  hampered  work,  its  worth  largely 

lost; 
'Twas  hindrance,  and  pain,  and  effort,  and 

cost: 
But  through  these  came  knowledge, — 

knowledge  is  power, — 
And  never  again  in  the  deadliest 

hour 


THE  WOMEN  WHO  WENT  TO  THE   FIELD.        513 

Of  war  or  of  peace  shall  we  be 

so  beset 
To  accomplish  the  purpose  our  spirits 

have  met. 
And  what  would  they  do  if  war 

came  again  ? 
The  scarlet  cross  floats  where  all  was 

blank  then. 
They  would  bind  on  their  "  brassards  "  * 

and  march  to  the  fray. 
And  the  man  liveth  not  who  could 

say  to  them  nay; 
They  would  stand  with  you  now,  as  they 

stood  with  you  then, — 
The  nurses,  consolers,  and  saviors 

of  men. 

The  insiguia  and  arm-band  of  the  Red  Cross  worn  on  the  field. 

Note. — Returning  home  from  a  journey,  Miss  Barton  was  notified  in  the 
afternoon  that  she  would  be  expected  to  attend  the  banquet  and  respond  to  the 
toast,  "The  Women  Who  Went  to  the  Field."  As  there  was  little  or  no  time  for 
I  reparation,  the  foregoing  poem  was  hastily  written,  and  may  almost  be  considered 
as  impromptu. 


CUBA  AND  THE  CUBAN  CAMPAIGN. 


E  had  scarceh'  returned  from  Armenia  when  para- 
graphs began  to  appear  in  the  press  from  all  sections 
^  of  the  country,  connecting  the  Red  Cross  with 
some  undefined  method  of  relief  for  Cuba.  These 
^  intimations  were  both  ominous  and  portentous  for  the 
future,  something  from  which  we  instinctively  shrunk  and  remained  per- 
fectly quiet.  .  "  The  murmurs  grew  to  clamors  loud,"  and,  I  regret  to 
say,  not  always  quite  kind.  There  were  evidently  two  Richmonds  in  the 
field,  the  one  ardently  craving  food  alone,  simpl}'  food  for  the  dying. 
The  other  wanting  food  and  arms.  They  might  have  properly  been 
classed  under  two  distinct  heads.  The  one,  merely  the  friends  of 
humanity  in  its  simple-sense;  the  other,  friends  of  humanity  also,  but 
what  seemed  to  them  a  broader  and  deeper  sense,  far  more  complex. 
They  sought  to  remove  a  cause  as  well  as  an  effect,  and  the  muflfied 
cry  of  "Cuba  Libre"  became  their  watchword.  Naturally,  anj^  general 
movement  by  the  people  in  favor  of  the  former  must  have  the  effect 
to  diminish  the  contributions  of  the  latter,  too  small  at  best  for  their 
purpose,  and  must  be 'wisely  discouraged.  Thus,  w^henever  an  unsus- 
pecting movement  was  set  on  foot  by  some  good-hearted,  unsophis- 
ticated body  of  people,  and  began  to  gain  favor  with  the  public  and 
the  press,  immediately  would  appear  most  convincing  counter  para- 
graphs to  the  effect  that  it  would  be  useless  to  send  relief,  especially 
by  the  Red  Cross: 

First,  it  would  not  be  permitted  to  land. 

Next,  whatever  it  took  would  be  either  seized  outright,  or 
"wheedled"  out  of  hand  by  the  Spanish  authorities  in  Havana. 

That  the  Spaniards  would  be  only  too  glad  to  have  the  United 
States  send  food  and  money  for  the  use  of  Havana. 

Again,  that  the  Red  Cro.ss  being  international,  would  afl&liate  with 
Spain,  and  ignore  the  "  Cuban  Red  Cross  "  already  working  there  and 
here.  As  if  poor  Cuba,  with  no  national  government  or  treaty-making 
power,  could  have  a  legitimate  Red  Cross  that  other  nations  could 
recognize  or  work  with. 

(514) 


CUBA   AND   THE   CUBAN    CAMPAIGN.  515 

That  doubtless  the  American  Red  Cross,  flushed  with  victory  in 
Armenia,  would  be  only  too  glad  to  enter  on  another  campaign,  direct 
another  field,  and  handle  its  donations.  Tired,  heart-sore  and  needing 
rest,  we  were  compelled  to  read  columns  of  such  reports,  and  under- 
standing that  it  w^as  not  without  its  political  side  and  might  increase 
to  proportions  dangerous  to  the  good  name  of  the  Red  Cross,  we  felt 
compelled  to  take  steps  in  self- protection.  Accordingly  through  the 
proper  official  authorities  of  both  nations,  we  addressed  to  the  govern- 
ment of  Spain  at  Madrid  a  request  for  royal  permission  for  the  American 
Red  Cross  to  entei;Cuba  and  distribute,  unmolested,  among  its  starving 
reconcentrado  population  such  relief  as  the  people  of  America  desired 
to  send. 

This  communication  brought  back  from  Spain  perhaps  the  most 
courteous  assent  and  permission  ever  vouchsafed  by  a  proud  govern- 
ment to  an  individual  request,  especially  when  that  request  was  in  its 
very  nature  a  rebuke  to  the  methods  of  the  government  receiving  it. 
Not  only  was  permission  granted  by  the  crown,  the  government,  the 
Captain-General  at  Cuba,  and  the  Queen  Regent,  but  to  the  assent  of 
the  latter  were  added  her  majesty's  gracious  thanks  for  the  kindly 
thought. 

This  cablegram  was  published  broadcast  through  the  Associated 
and  United  Presses  in  its  exact  text,  with  all  official  signatures  duly 
appended,  and  over  my  signature  the  statement  that  the  American  Red 
Cross  was  ready  to  enter  upon  the  relief  of  the  starving  Cubans  when- 
ever the  people  of  the  United  States  should  place  at  its  disposal  a  sum 
in  money  or  material  sufficient  to  warrant  a  commencement  of  the 
work. 

Strange  to  saj',  so  sensational  had  the  tone  of  our  press  become,  so 
warped  the  judgment,  so  vitiated  the  taste  of  its  readers,  that  in  the 
hurried  scramble  between  headlines  and  the  waste  basket  they  failed  to 
discriminate  between  this  announcement  of  clear,  true  official  relations 
on  the  part  of  a  government,  with  a  body  which  it  held  sufficiently 
responsible  to  deal  with  officially,  and  the  sensational  guess  of  some 
representative  of  the  press. 

It  will  seem  a  little  singular  to  any  one  who  should  ever  take  the 
time  to  coolly  read  this  account  (if  such  there  be),  that  in  response  to 
this  announcement  not  one  dollar  or  one  pound  ever  came  or  was 
offered,  and  the  cry  for  "starving  Cuba  "  still  went  on  as  if  no  door 
had  been  opened.  Had  the  nation  gone  mad,  or  what  had  hap- 
pened it  ? 


5i6  THE   RED    CROSS. 

Societies  of  women  were  formed  to  raise  money;  among  these  the 
most  notable,  influential  and  worthy  ladies  in  American  society.  They 
labored,  instant  in  season  and  out  of  season,  with  small  results; 
perfectly  unable  to  comprehend  their  want  of  success. 

I  think  that  dear  Mrs.  Thurston,  one  of  their  most  ardent  mem- 
bers, came  to  comprehend  it  a  little  by  the  strong,  prophetic  words  she 
spoke  to  me  as  months  later  in  Havana  our  carriages  rattled  and  thun- 
dered over  rocky  streets  from  one  hospital  of  death  to  another.  And 
this  only  comparativel}'-  a  few  hours  before  the  cruel,  restless  sea 
surged  out  of  that  worn,  frail  body  the  soul  that  glowed  with  the  flame 
of  humanity,  justice  and  pity  to  the  last. 

This  state  of  things  continued  through  the  year  of  1897,  but  as 
the  present  year  of  '98  opened  the  reports  of  suffering  that  came  were 
not  to  be  borne  quietly,  and  I  decided  to  confer  with  our  government 
and  learn  if  it  had  objections  to  the  Red  Cross  taking  steps  of  its  own 
in  direct  touch  with  the  people  of  the  countr}-,  and  proposing  their 
co-operation  in  the  work  of  relief.  I  beg  pardon  for  the  personality  of 
the  statement  which  follows,  but  it  is  history  I  am  asked  to  write: 

Deciding  to  refer  my  inquiry  to  the  Secretary  of  State,  I  called  at 
his  department  to  see  him,  but  learned  that  he  was  with  the  President. 
This  suiting  my  purpose,  I  followed  to  the  Executive  Mansion,  was 
kindly  informed  that  the  President  and  Secretary  were  engaged  on  a 
very  important  matter  and  had  given  orders  not  to  be  interrupted.  As 
I  turned  to  leave  I  was  recalled  with,  "  Wait  a  moment,  Miss  Barton, 
and  let  me  present  your  card."  Returning  immediately,  I  entered  the 
President's  room  to  find  these  two  men  in  a  perplexed  study  over  the 
very  matter  which  had  called  me.  Distressed  by  the  reports  of  the 
terrible  condition  of  things  so  near  to  us,  they  were  seeking  some 
remedy,  and  producing  their  notes  just  taken  revealed  the  fact  that 
they  had  decided  to  call  me  into  conference. 

The  conference  was  then  held.  It  was  decided  to  form  a  committee 
in  New  York,  to  ask  money  and  material  of  the  people  at  large  to  be 
shipped  to  Cuba  for  the  relief  of  the  reconcentrados  on  that  island.  The 
call  would  be  made  in  the  name  of  the  President,  and  the  committee 
naturally  known  as  the  "  President's  Committee  for  Cuban  Relief."  I 
was  courteously  asked  if  I  would  go  to  New  York  and  assume  the 
oversight  of  that  committee.  I  declined  in  favor  of  Mr.  Stephen  E. 
Barton,  second  vice-president  of  the  National  Red  Cross,  who,  on 
being  immediately  called,  accepted;  and  with  Mr.  Charles  Schieren  as 
treasurer    and    Mr.  Eouis  Klopsch,  of  the    Christian    Herald,  as  the 


CUBA   AND   THE   CUBAN    CAMPAIGN.  519 

third  member,  the  committee  was  at  once  established  ;  since  known 
as  the  Central  Cuban  Relief  Committee. 

The  committee  was  to  solicit  aid  in  money  and  material  for  the 
suffering  reconcentrados  in  Cuba,  and  forward  the  same  to  the  Consul- 
General  at  Havana  for  distribution.  My  consent  was  then  asked  by 
all  parties  to  go  to  Cuba  and  aid  in  the  distribution  of  the  shipments 
of  food  as  they  should  arrive.  After  all  I  had  so  long  offered,  I 
could  not  decline,  and  hoping  my  going  would  not  be  misunder- 
stood by  our  authorities  there,  who  would  regard  me  simply  as  a  will- 
ing assistant,  I  accepted.  The  Consul-General  had  asked  the  New 
York  Committee  to  send  to  him  an  assistant  to  take  charge  of  the 
warehouse  and  supplies  in  Havana.  This  request  was  also  referred  to 
me,  and  recommending  Mr.  J.  K.  Elwell,  nephew  of  General  J.  J. 
Elvvell,  of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  a  gentleman  who  had  resided  six  years  in 
Santiago  in  connection  with  its  large  shipping  interests,  a  fine  bu.siness 
man  and  speaking  Spanish,  I  decided  to  accompany  him,  taking  no 
member  of  my  own  staff,  but  going  simply  in  the  capacity  of  an 
individual  helper  in  a  work  already  assigned. 

On  Saturda}^  February  6,  we  left  Washington  for  Cuba  via  Jack- 
sonville, Tampa  and  Key  West. 

Thus,  with  that  simple  beginning,  with  no  thought  on  the  part  of 
any  person  but  to  do  unobtrusively  the  little  that  could  be  done  for  the 
lessening  of  the  woes  of  a  small  i.sland  of  people,  whom  adverse  circum- 
stances, racial  differences,  the  inevitable  results  of  a  struggle  for 
freedom,  the  fate  of  war,  and  the  terrible  features  of  a  system  of  sub- 
jugation of  a  people,  which,  if  true,  is  too  dark  to  name,  was  com- 
menced the  relief  movement  of  1898  which  has  spread  not  alone  over 
the  entire  United  States  of  America  from  Maine  to  California,  from  Van- 
couver to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  but  from  the  Indias  on  the  west,  to  the 
Indias  on  the  east,  and  uniting  in  its  free-will  offerings  the  gifts  of  one- 
third  of  the  best  nations  in  tlie  world. 


520  THK  RKO  CROSS. 


HAVANA. 

"We  reached  Havana  February  9,  five  weeks  ago,  and  in  all  the 
newness  of  a  strange  country,  with  oriental  customs,  commenced  our 
work." 

The  above  entry  I  find  in  my  diary.  In  speaking  of  conditions  as 
found,  let  me  pray  that  no  word  shall  be  taken  as  a  criticism  upon  any 
person  or  people.  Dreadful  as  these  conditions  were,  and  rife  as 
hunger,  starvation  and  death  were  on  every  hand,  we  were  constantly 
amazed  at  the  continued  charities  as  manifested  in  the  cities,  and  small, 
poor  villages  of  a  people  so  over-run  with  numbers,  want  and  woe  for 
months,  running  into  years;  with  all  business,  all  remuneration,  all 
income  stopped,  killed  as  dead  as  the  poor,  stark  forms  around  them, 
it  was  wonderful  that  they  still  kept  up  their  organizations,  municipal 
and  religious,  and  gave  not  of  their  abundance,  but  of  their  penury; 
that  still  a  little  ration  of  food  went  out  to  the  dens  of  woe.  That  the 
wardrobe  was  again  and  again  parceled  out;  that  the  famishing  mother 
divided  her  little  morsel  with  another  mother's  hungry  child;  that  two 
men  sat  down  to  one  crust,  and  tha<^  the  Spanish  soldier  shared,  as  often 
seen,  the  loaf — his  own  half  ration — with  the  eager-eyed  skeleton 
reconcentrado,  watching  him  as  he  ate.  In  another  instance  the 
recognition  might  have  been  less  kind  it  is  true,  for  war  is  war,  and  all 
humanity  are  not  humane. 

The  work  was  commenced  in  earnest.  I  still  turn  the  pages  of 
the  diary,  which  says:  "We  were  called  on  deck  to  look  at  Morro 
Castle,  which,  grim  and  dark  in  the  bright  morning  sunlight,  skirts 
the  bay  like  a  frowning  ogre." 

We  were  met  at  the  dock  and  driven  to  Hotel  Inglaterra,  where 
letters  of  welcome  awaited  us.  After  paying  our  official  respects,  our 
first  business  was  to  meet  the  committees  appointed  for  the  distribution 
of  food.  We  found  them  pleasant  gentlemen.  We  were  notified  of 
the  arrival  of  the  steamship  "  Vigilancia, "  with  fift}^  tons  of  supplies, 
sent  by  the  New  York  Committee;  took  carriage  and  drove  to  the 
dock.  It  was  a  glad  sight  to  see  her  anchors  dropping  down  into  the 
soil  of  that  starved  spot  of  the  earth.  We  boarded  her,  met  the 
gentlemanly  officers,  and  saw  the  goods  being  put  on  the  lighters. 
This  was  the  largest  quantity  of   .supplies  that   had    3'et  arrived  by 


CUBA    AND   THK    CUBAN    CAMl'AIGN.  521 

any  one  steamship.  In  rcturninj:;:  to  land,  we  threaded  our  way 
through  the  transports  and  yachts — among  the  latter  the  "  New  York 
Journal,"  that  had  just  taken  Julian  Hawthorne  across  from  Key 
West — and  grandest  of  all,  the  polished,  shining  battleship  "  Maine." 
She  towered  above  them  like  a  monarch,  or  rather  like  an  elegant 
visitor  whom  all  the  household  felt  bound  to  respect.  On  landing,  we 
resumed  our  carriage  and  drove  to  Los  Fosos,  a  large,  long  building 
filled  with  reconcentrados, — over  four  hundred  women  and  children  in 
the  most  pitiable  condition  possible  for  human  beings  to  be  in,  and 
live;  and  they  did  not  live,  for  the  death  record  counted  them  out  a 
dozen  or  more  every  twenty-four  hours,  and  the  grim,  terrible  pile  of 
rude  black  coffins  that  confronted  one  at  the  very  doorway,  told  to  each 
famishing  applicant  on  her  entrance  what  her  exit  was  likely  to  be. 

We  went  from  room  to  room,  each  filled  to  repletion — not  a  dozen 
beds  in  all.  Some  of  the  inmates  could  walk,  as  many  could  not, — 
lying  on  the  floors  in  their  filth — some  mere  skeletons;  others  swollen 
out  of  all  human  shape.  Death-pallid  mothers,  lying  with  glazing 
eyes,  and  a  famishing  babe  clutching  at  a  milkless  breast.  Let  me 
attempt  no  further  description.  The  massacres  of  Armenia  seemed 
merciful  in  comparison. 

We  went  our  rounds,  and  sought  the  open  air  ;  drove  to  another 
building  of  like  character,  but  in  a  little  better  condition — one  hundred 
and  fifty-six  inmates.  These  persons  had  been  recommetided  by  .some- 
one, who  paid  a  little  for  each,  and  thus  kept  them  from  dailj^  starva- 
tion. From  here  to  the  third  building  (the  Ca.sino),  of  about  an  equal 
number,  still  a  little  better  off. 

From  hereto  the  fourth  building  (La  Yocabo) — two  hun'..r';d  and 
fifty  persons,  the  best  of  the  reconcentrados.  The  sisters  of  charity 
had  recently  taken  hold  of  these,  and  cleanliness  and  order  commenced 
to  appear.  The  children  had  books,  were  being  taught,  and  rooms 
were  fitted  out  for  some  kind  of  industrial  training.  This  place  seemed 
like  heaven  in  comparison. 

From  here  to  the  fifth  building,  a  distributing  house,  where 
American  rations  were  given  out  on  Sundays  to  great  crowds  of  people 
who  thronged  the  streets. 

This  finished,  we  drove  to  our  warehouse,  the  San  Jose,  where  our 
supplies  were  stored.  Here  was  what  remained  of  the  .several  shipments 
which  had  preceeded  us,  the  result  of  the  tireless  and  well  directed 
efforts  of  the  New  York  Committee,  only  so  recently  established,  and 
so  new  in  its  work.     Possibly  three  hundred  tons  of  flour,   meal,  rice, 


522 


THK    RICI)   CROSS. 


potatoes,  canned  meat,  fruit,  bacon,  lard,  condensed  and  malted  milk, 
quinine,  some  of  which  had  come  b}'  the  first  shipment,  showing  how 
difficult  the  distribution  had  been  found  to  be  ;  and  it  was  not  strange 
that  a  "  warehouse  man"  had  been  asked  for  by  the  Consul  General. 
Surely  Mr.  Elwell  had  not  a  sinecure. 

Somehow  the  report  got  abroad  that  we  had  brought  money  for 
distribution,  and  a  thousand  people  thronged  the  hotel. 

We  found  among  our  supplies  large  quantities  of  flour,  and  the 
people  had  no  way  of  cooking  it.  There  are  no  ovens  in  these  oriental 
countries  except  those  of  the  baker.  Consequently  only  he  could 
make  bread  of  flour.  We  found  a  baker  with  whom  we  arranged  to 
take  our  flour  and  return  bread  in  its  place  at  a  fair  percentage. 

' '  The  Consul  General  has  named  a  desire  to  have  an  orphanage 
created,  and  asked  of  me  to  find  a  building,  and  establish  such  an 
institution.  I  commence  a  search  among  the  apparently  suitable 
buildings  of  the  towai,  but  regretting  always  that  T  have  not  his 
knowledge  of  the  city  and  its  belongings.  Up  to  this  time  the  search, 
although  vigilant,  has  been  fruitless.  Still  there  are  only  three  days 
of  it  all  since  our  arrival,  and  to-morrow  will  be  Sunday." 

This  hopeful  entiy^  ended  the  first  half  w^eek  of  life  in  Cuban 
relief.  Up  to  this  moment  no  American  food  had  ever  entered  Los 
Fosos,  as  the  institution  was  under  Spanish  military  and  municipal 
direction.  How  to  get  our  distributors  into  proper  and  peaceful  aid 
there,  if  not  into  control,  was  a  politic  question. 

The  diar}"^  continues:  "  That  Sunday  morning,  fine,  clear  and 
warm,  ci-ought  three  matters  of  interest  to  our  attention  : 

"  First.  An  interview  with  a  householder  concerning  the  orphan- 
age— unsuccessful. 

' '  Second.     The  visiting  of  all  the   various  points,   some  nine   in 
number,  where  American  food  would    be  distributed  for  the  coming 
week  to  the  waiting  thousands  and — 
"Third.     A  bull  fight." 

One  would  feel  something  of  the  same  dread  in  attempting  to 
describe  these  gathering  moving  masses  of  starving  humanity  as  in 
picturing  the  "still  life"  of  Los  Fosos.  The  children  of  three  and 
four  years  old  often  could  not  walk  and  the  mother  was  too  weak  to 
carry  the  burden,  and  they  fell  in  a  heap  among  the  crowd. 

The  food  was  distributed  by  tickets,  suited  to  the  family  and  put  up 
in  paper  bags,  for  few  had  any  vessel  to  get  it  in. 

At  the  first  place  of  distribution  there  were  looofed;  at  the  second, 


CUBA   AND   THK   CUBAN    CAMPAIGN.  523 

1300;  at  the  third,  2200,  and  so  on — some  larger,  some  less.  At  one 
of  the  larger  distributions,  when  about  half  served,  it  was  announced 
that  there  was  no  more  food  and  the  people  were  directed  to  dis- 
perse. We  inquired  the  cause  and  were  told  there  were  no  more 
American  supplies  in  Havana — that  they  had  been  so  informed.  We 
could  not  persuade  them  that  the}^  had  been  misinformed,  that  there 
was  plenty  of  food  in  the  warehouse,  but  we  did  succeed  in  having  the 
disappointed,  hungry  hundreds  called  back  and  told  to  come  again 
next  day  and  get  their  food.  We  never  knew  how  the  mistake  occurred, 
but  were  more  than  ever  convinced  that  some  systematic  work  must  be 
iustitu-ted  among  the  constantly  arriving  supplies  at  the  warehouse. 
The  task  had  all  along  been  too  great.  The  next  morning  took  us 
with  proper  assistants  to  San  Jose,  when  a  systematic  inventory  of 
stock  a.s  per  each  shipment  was  instituted.  At  3.30  p.  m.  our  work 
was  interrupted.  A  cordial  invitation  from  Captain  Sigsbee  to  visit  the 
"Maine"  that  afternoon  had  been  received.  His  launch  courteously 
came  for  us;  his  officers  received  us;  his  crew,  strong,  ruddy  and  bright, 
went  through  their  drill  for  our  entertainment,  and  the  lunch  at  those 
polished  tables,  off  glittering  china  and  cut  glass,  with  the  social 
guests  around,  will  remain  ever  in  my  memory  as  a  vision  of  the  "  Last 
Supper. ' ' 

The  next  day  took  us  again  to  the  warehouse.  I  cannot  refrain 
from  taking  the  liberty  of  mentioning  my  most  distinguished  volunteer 
assistant.  General  Ross,  a  general  in  our  Civil  War  and  the  uncle  of 
Commissioner  Ross,  of  Washington,  D.  C.  Being  in  Havana  on  a 
passing  tour,  and  perceiving  the  need,  he  volunteered  freely  to  do  the 
work  which  he  had  once  commanded  his  under  officers  to  direct  their 
private  soldiers  to  do.     It  was  most  intelligent  help. 

While  passing  quickly  among  the  rows  of  barrels,  with  dress 
pinned  back,  a  letter  of  introduction  from  the  Consul-General  was 
handed  to  me  by  a  manly,  pcHshed-mannered  gentleman,  on  whose 
playful  features  the  e  mingled  a  look  of  amused  surprise,  with  a  tinge 
of  well-covered  roguishness  and  complacency,  that  bespoke  the  cultured 
man  of  the  world.  The  note,  addressed  to  my  hotel,  said  that  the 
Consul  took  pleasure  in  introducing  to  me  Mr.  William  Willard 
Howard,  of  New  York.  Although  never  having  met  we  were  by  no 
means  strangers.  He  had  worked  on  the  Eastern  fields  of  Armenia  in 
tlie  hard  province  of  Van,  while  I  was  in  Constantinople,  and  our 
expeditions  in  the  great  centre  districts  of  Harpoot  and  Diarbeker.  He 
evidently  felt  that  the  surroundings  were  a  little  rough  and  unexpected 


524  THIC    Kl-:!)    CROSS. 

for  a  first  meeting,  but  collecliii'.;  himself,  at  once  rallied  me  with  the 
grand  opportunity  I  was  affording  him  for  a  sensational  letter  to  the 
States,  with  a  cartoon  of  the  president  of  the  American  National  Red 
Cross  in  a  Cuban  warehouse,  with  dress  pinned  back,  "  opening  boxes." 
He  admitted  that  the  latter  stroke  of  the  picture  was  a  little  stretch  of 
imagination,  but  he  hoped  it  might  realize,  as  he  really  wanted  it  for 
his  cartoon.  After  a  few  moments  of  pleasant  badinage  he  left,  under 
pretext  of  not  hindering  me  in  my  favorite  occupation  of  "  opening 
boxes. ' ' 

The  next  day  I  was  detained  at  home  by  an  accumulation  of 
clerical  work  and  heavy  mails  to  be  gotten  off  (I  had  as  yet  no  clerk), 
but  on  the  return  of  the  men  at  night  they  reported  a  marvelous  day's 
work.  That  Mr.  Howard  had  come  early  in  the  morning,  thrown  off 
his  coat,  and,  calling  for  a  box  opener,  had  opened  boxes  all  day.  They 
had  never  seen  a  better  day's  work.  A  messenger  was  immediately 
dispatched  to  his  hotel,  inviting  Mr.  Howard  to  come  and  dine  with  us. 
From  that  time  on,  during  his  stay,  he  continued  to  dine  with  us.  We 
compared  methods  of  relief  work  with  the  experiences  we  had  gained, 
and  when  we  separated  it  was  with  the  feeling  on  my  part  that  any 
work  of  relief  would  be  a  gainer  that  could  enlist  men  of  such  views, 
experience  and  capacity  as  Mr.  Howard  in  its  ranks. 

The  heavy  clerical  work  of  that  fifteenth  day  of  February  held  not 
only  myself  but  Mr.  Elwell  as  well,  busy  at  our  writing  tables  until 
late  at  night.  The  house  had  grown  still;  the  noises  on  the  streets 
were  dying  away,  when  suddenly  the  table  shook  from  under  our  hands, 
the  great  glass  door  opening  onto  the  veranda,  facing  the  sea,  flew  open; 
everything  in  the  room  was  in  motion  or  out  of  place — the  deafening 
roar  of  such  a  burst  of  thunder  as  perhaps  one  never  heard  before, 
and  off  to  the  right,  out  over  the  bay,  the  air  was  filled  with  a  blaze  of 
light,  and  this  in  turn  filled  with  black  specks  like  huge  spectres  flying 
in  all  directions.  Then  it  faded  away.  The  bells  rang;  the  whistles 
blew,  and  voices  in  the  street  were  heard  for  a  moment;  then  all  was 
quiet  again.  I  supposed  it  to  be  the  bursting  of  some  mammoth 
mortar,  or  explosion  of  some  magazine.  A  few  hours  later  came  the 
terrible  news  of  the  "  Maine." 

Mr.  Elwell  was  early  among  the  wreckage,  and  returned  to  give 
me  news. 

The  diary  goes  on.  "She  is  destroyed.  There  is  no  room  for 
comment,  only  who  is  lost,  who  has  escaped,  and  what  can  be  don?  for 
them?    They  tell  us  that  most  of  the  officers  were  dining  out,  and  thus 


CUBA   AND   THK   CUBAN   CAMPAIGN.  525 

saved;  that  Captain  Sigsbee  is  saved.  It  is  thought  that  250  men  are 
lost,  that  one  hundred  are  wounded,  but  still  living,  some  in  hospital, 
some  on  small  boats  as  picked  up.  The  Chief  Engineer,  a  quiet, 
resolute  man,  and  the  second  officer  met  me  as  I  passed  out  of  the  hotel 
for  the  hospital.  The  latter  stopped  me  saying,  '  Miss  Barton,  do  you 
remember  you  told  me  on  board  the  "  Maine  "  that  the  Red  Cross  was 
at  our  service;  for  whenever  anything  took  place  with  that  ship,  either 
in  naval  action  or  otherwise,  sovicone  would  be  hurt;  that  she  was  not 
of  a  structure  to  take  misfortune  lightly  ? '  I  recalled  the  conversation 
and  the  impression  which  led  to  it, — such  strength  would  never  go  out 
easily. 

' '  We  proceeded  to  the  Spanish  hospital  San  Ambrosia,  to  find 
thirty  to  forty  wounded — bruised,  cut,  burned;  they  had  been  crushed 
by  timbers,  cut  by  iron,  scorched  by  fire,  and  blown  sometimes  high  in 
the  air,  sometimes  driven  down  through  the  red  hot  furnace  room  and 
out  into  the  water,  senseless,  to  be  picked  up  by  some  boat  and  gotten 
ashore.  Their  wounds  are  all  over  them — heads  and  faces  terribly  cut, 
internal  wounds,  arms,  legs,  feet  and  hands  burned  to  the  live  flesh. 
The  hair  and  beards  are  singed,  showing  that  the  burns  were  from  fire 
and  not  steam;  besides  further  evidence  shows  that  the  burns  are  where 
the  parts  were  uncovered.  If  burned  by  steam,  the  clothing  would 
have  held  the  steam  and  burned  all  the  deeper.  As  it  is,  it  protected 
from  the  heat  and  the  fire  and  saved  their  limbs,  whilst  the  faces, 
hands,  and  arms  are  terribl}-  burned.  Both  men  and  officers  are  very 
reticent  in  regard  to  the  cause,  but  all  declare  it  could  not  have  been 
the  result  of  an  internal  explosion.  That  the  boilers  were  at  the  two 
ends  of  the  ship,  and  these  were  the  places  from  which  all  escaped,  who 
did  escape.  The  trouble  was  evidently  from  the  center  of  the  ship, 
where  no  explosive  machinery  was  located. 

"  I  thought  to  take  the  names  as  I  passed  among  them,  and  draw- 
ing near  to  the  first  in  the  long  line,  I  asked  his  name.  He  gave  it  with 
his  address;  then  peering  out  from  among  the  bandages  and  cotton  about 
his  breast  and  face,  he  looked  earnestly  at  me  and  asked:  'Isn't  this 
Miss  Barton?  '  'Yes.'  '  I  thought  it  must  be.  I  knew  you  were  here, 
and  thought  you  would  come  to  us.      I  am  so  thankful  for  us  all.' 

"  I  asked  if  he  wanted  anything.  '  Yes.  There  is  a  lady  to  whom 
I  was  to  be  married.  The  time  is  up.  She  will  be  frantic  if  she  hears 
of  this  accident  and  nothing  more.  Could  you  telegraph  her?' 
'Certainly!'  The  dispatch  went  at  once:  'Wounded,  but  saved.' 
Alas,  it  was  only  for  a  little;  two  days  later,  and  it  was  all  over. 


536  THK    R]:i)    CROSS. 

"I  passed  on  from  one  to  another,  till  twelve  had  been  spoken  to 
and  the  names  taken.  There  were  only  two  of  the  number  who  did 
not  recognize  me.  Their  expres.sions  of  grateful  thanks,  spoken  under 
such  conditions,  were  too  much.  I  passed  the  pencil  to  another  hand 
and  stepped  aside. ' ' 

I  am  glad  to  say  that  every  kindness  was  extended  to  them.  Miss 
Mary  Wilberforce  had  been  at  once  installed  as  nurse,  and  faithful 
work  she  performed.  The  Spanish  hospital  attendants  were  tireless  in 
their  attentions.  Still,  there  was  boundless  room  for  luxuries  and 
comforts,  delicate  foods,  grapes,  oranges,  wines,  cordials,  anything  that 
could  soothe  or  interest ;  and  no  opportunity  was  lost,  nor  cost  nor 
pains  spared,  and  when  two  days  later  the  streets  filled  with  hearses 
bearing  reverently  the  bodies  of  martj^red  heroes  ;  and  the  crape  and 
the  flowers  mingled  in  their  tributes  of  tenderness  and  beauty,  and  the 
muffled  drums  and  tolling  bells  spoke  all  that  inanimate  substance 
could  speak  of  sorrow  and  respect ;  and  the  silent,  marching  tread  of 
armies  fell  upon  the  listening  ear, — the  heart  grew  sick  in  the  midst  of 
all  this  pageant,  and  the  thoughts  turned  away  to  the  far  land,  smitten 
with  horror,  and  the  homes  wailing  in  bitter  grief  for  these,  so  lone, 
so  lost ;  and  one  saw  only  the: 


Nodding  plumes  over  their  bier  to  wave, 
And  God's  own  hand  in  that  lonely  land 
To  lay  them  in  their  grave. 


We  were  still  in  hotel — excellent  of  course — but  a  home  should  be 
made  for  the  body  of  assistants  it  was  by  this  time  proposed  to  send 
for.  I  remembered  the  visit  of  a  lad}' — one  among  the  hundreds  who 
called  the  day  before — and  who  impressed  me  as  being  no  ordinary 
person.  She  had  the  air  of  genuine  nobility  and  high  birth.  I  had 
retained  her  card  : 

Senora  J.  S.  Jorrin, 

528  del  Cerro. 


It  would  be  certain  I  thought  that  this  lady  knew  something  of 
suitable  homes  ;  and  we  drove  to  her  residence  next  day,  to  find  one  of 
the  loveliest  villas  in  the  city,  surrounded  by  gardens,  fountains,  flowers, 


CUBA   AND   THE   CUBAN    CAMPAIGN.  527 

baths,  a  little  river  rushing  through  the  garden,  palms,  bananas, 
cocoanuts,  all  growing  luxuriantly.  Xhis  was  the  home  of  Senora 
Jorrin,  given  her  as  a  wedding  gift  many  years  before  by  her  husband, 
a  man  of  great  power  in  the  island,  and  who  had  three  times  represented 
Cuba  in  the  Senate  of  Madrid.  Three  months  before  he  had  died  on  a 
visit  to  New  York.  La  Senora  was  alone  with  her  retinue  of  servants, 
and  waiting  to  make  some  suitable  disposition  of  her  mansion,  in  order 
to  join  her  only  daughter  residing  in  America. 

The  desired  disposition  was  quickly  made,  and  in  the  next  day  or 
two  we  were  safel}-  installed  in  our  new  home,  with  Senora  as  honorary 
hostess,  to  the  delight  and  advantage  of  all.  This  pleasant  arrange- 
ment has  never  been  interrupted,  and  is  the  origin  of  the  charming 
Red  Cross  headquarters  at  Cerro,  that  all  our  friends  and  visitors  recall 
with  such  admiration.  I  might  be  pardoned  for  adding  that  Senora 
Jorrin,  who  was  early  called  to  Washington  by  the  sudden  death  of 
her  beautiful  and  only  daughter,  has  remained  with  her  grandchildren, 
and  we  have  continued  such  loving  care  as  we  were  able  to  extend 
over  her  palatial  home  from  that  time  to  the  present. 

The  diary  now  makes  the  following  notes,  which  I  remember  to 
have  once  copied  in  a  letter  to  some  periodical  which  perhaps  published 
it,  I  never  knew;  but  will  venture  to  reproduce  it  here,  as  the  descrip- 
tion of  the  first  visit  made  to  any  point  of  the  country  outside  of 
Havana. 

We  were  overborne  by  requests  to  visit  towns  and  villages  filled 
with  suflfering  and  death.     The  notes  run  : 


Jaruco. 

It  was  a  clear  warm  day.  I  had  retired  early  to  be  ready  for  a  five 
o'clock  start  for  the  town  of  Jaruco,  some  twenty  miles  away.  It  was 
as  dark  as  night  when  we  stepped  into  the  carriage  to  go  to  the  ferry 
and  the  train — damp,  heavy,  just  a  morning  for  chills.  Some  mem- 
bers of  the  committee  joined  us  at  the  train,  and  as  daylight  and  sunrise 
came,  the  sight,  in  spite  of  neglect  and  devastation,  was  magnificently 
lovely.  The  stately  groves  of  royal  palms  looked  benignly  down  on 
the  less  pretentious  banana  and  cocoanut,  each  doing  its  best  to  provide 
for  and  keep  life  in  a  starving,  dying  people.  Nine  o'clock  brought  us 
to  the  town,  where  we  were  met  and  right  royally  welcomed  by  its 
leading  people.     The  mayor  took  us  in  his  carriage  to   the  church, 


528  THIC    RKI)   CROSS. 

followed  by  a  crowd  of  people  that  filled  its  centre.  The  plain, 
siniple  services  told  in  repeated  sentences  the  heart  gratitude  oi  a 
stricken  people  to  God  for  what  he  had  put  into  the  hearts  of  Amer- 
ica to  do.  She  had  remembered  them  when  all  was  gone,  when 
hunger,  pain  and  death  alone  remained  to  them;  and  when  that 
assemblage  of  pale,  hollow  faces  and  attenuated  forms  knelt  on  the 
rough  stone  floor  in  praise  to  the  Great  Giver,  one  felt  if  this  was  not 
acceptable,  no  worship  might  ever  hope  to  be.  From  the  church  to 
the  house  of  the  mayor,  the  judge,  the  doctor  and  other  principal  men 
of  the  town.  It  now  remained  to  see  what  we  had  "  gone  for  to  see." 
Two  hours'  wandering  about  in  the  hot  sunshine  from  hovel  to  hovel 
dark  and  damp,  thatched  roof  and  ground  floor,  no  furniture,  some- 
times a  broken  bench,  a  few  rags  of  clothing  ;  some  of  the  people 
could  walk  about,  some  could  not,  but  all  had  something  to  eat. 
Thank  God,  if  not  all  their  lean  bodies  might  crave,  still  something, 
and  while  they  showed  their  skeleton  bodies  and  feet  swollen  to  burst- 
ing, they  still  blessed  the  people  of  the  country  that  had  remembered 
them  with  food. 

The  line  of  march  was  long  and  weary,  and  ended  with  the  "  hos- 
pital." What  shall  I  say  of  it?  If  only  a  sense  of  decency  were  con- 
sulted one  would  say  nothing;  but  truth  and  facts  demand  a  record. 
We  tried  to  enter,  to  reach  a  poor,  wretched  looking  human  being  on 
a  low  cot  on  the  far  side  of  the  room,  but  were  driven  back  by  the 
stench  that  met  us,  not  alone  the  smell  one  might  expect  in  such  a 
place  of  neglect,  but  the  dead  had  evidently  lain  there  unremoved 
until  putrefaction  had  taken  place.  There  were  perhaps  four  wrecks 
of  men  in  the  various  rooms,  doubtless  left  there  to  die.  Like  a  body 
of  retreating  soldiers,  driven  but  not  defeated,  we  went  a  few  rods  out 
and  rallied,  and  calling  for  volunteers  and  picked  men  for  service, 
determined  to  "  storm  the  works." 

Jaruco  is  one  of  the  great  points  of  devastation;  it  is  said  that 
more  people  have  died  there  than  the  entire  town  numbers  in  time  of 
peace;  it  is  still  almost  a  city  of  reconcentrados. 

Naturally,  the  inhabitants  who  survive  have  given  all  they  had 
many  times  over  in  these  terrible  months.  Everything  is  scarce  and 
dear;  even  water  has  to  be  bought.  This  was  the  first  point  of  attack. 
Twenty  good  soldiers,  with  onlj-  dirt  and  filth  as  enemies,  can  make 
some  pVL^gress.  Water  by  the  dray  load,  lime  by  the  barrel,  brushes, 
brooms,  blue  for  whitewash,  hatchets,  buckets  and  things  most  needful, 
made  up  the  equipment;  and  late  in  the  afternoon,  when  Mr.  Elwell, 


CUBA    AND   THE   CUBAN    CAMPAIGN.  529 

who  might  well  be  termed  the  "  Vigilant,"  returned  to  look  after  the 
work,  preparatory  to  leaving  for  home,  he  found  the  four  poor  patients 
in  clean  clothes,  on  clean  beds,  ni  the  sunshine,  eating  crackers  and 
milk,  the  house  cleaned,  scrubbed,  limed,  and  being  whitewashed  from 
ceiling  to  floor. 

It  will  be  finished  to-morrow.  Sunday  and  to-day  (Monday),  we 
ship  cots,  blankets,  sheets,  pillow-slips,  all  the  first  utensils  needed 
to  make  a  plain  hospital  for  twenty-five,  to  be  increased  to  fifty — the 
food  to  go  regularly.  The  sick,  lying'utterly  helpless  in  the  hovels, 
to  be  selected  with  care  and  sent  to  the  hospital,  a  nurse  placed  with 
them,  the  doctor  already  there  in  Jaruco  to  attend  them,  and  send 
frequent  reports  of  condition  and  needs.  In  two  weeks  time  we  may 
hope  to  see,  not  only  a  hospital  that  may  bear  the  name,  but  progress 
of  its  patients  that  may  be  noted. 

I  am  writing  this  at  length,  because  it  is  the  first  of  hundreds 
that  should  follow  throughout  the  island,  and  a  type  of  what  we  shall 
endeavor  to  accomplish. 

It  will  naturally  be  asked  if  we  expect  the  Spanish  authorities  to 
permit  us  to  do  this.  Judging  from  to-day,  we  have  reason  to  expect 
every  co-operation.  The  commandant  of  the  town  was  one  of  the  men 
who  welcomed  us;  and  so  far  as  they  had  the  materials  desired,  offered 
them  for  our  use;  it  was  very  well,  as  there  were  some  we  could  get  in 
no  other  way. 

The  crowd  that  followed  us  was  bewildering — the  little  children 
in  pitiful  proportions.  We  had  prepared  ourselves  for  this  by  a  large 
invoice  of  five-cent  scrip.  An  intimation  of  our  desire  to  the  priest 
arranged  the  matter  quickly.  All  under,  perhaps,  six  to  seven  years 
old,  were  sent  into  the  church  to  come  out  at  a  side  door,  with  Mr. 
Elwell  and  myself  on  each  side  as  doorkeepers.  Every  pale  paasing 
hand  took  its  scrip,  and  the  gladness  that  beamed  in  their  little  wan 
faces  was  good  for  angels'  eyes.  They  rushed  into  the  street,  romping 
and  tumbling  like  actual  live  children,  which  they  had  no  longer 
seemed  to  be. 

There  was  but  one  more  feature  to  mark  this  memorable  day. 
After  leaving  the  hospital  we  were  told  that  a  deputation  of  ladies 
desired  to  call  on  us.  We  were  in  the  house  of  a  naturalized  American 
citizen,  and  prepared  to  receive  them.  They  entered  slowly  and  rever- 
ently, the  leader  bearing  a  deep  plate  of  choice  flowers.  As  she  handed 
tl.^m  to  me.  I  perceived  in  the  center  a  large  envelope  with  a  half-inch 
border  of  black,  and  a  black  ribbon  with  a  tied  bow  encircling  it.    The 


530 


Till-:  RED  CROSS. 


envelope  was  addressed  to  me.     The  first  sentence,  with  tender,  tremb- 
ling voice,  told  the  purport  of  it  all :    "  For  the  dead  of  the  Maine." 

The  crowd,  full  of  hope  and  blessing,  followed  us  to  the  train,  and 
as  we  passed  on,  gentle,  tender-eyed  women  came  down  the  banks 
from  their  cottages  with  little  baskets  of  flowers  to  be  passed  into  the 
carriage — and  ever  the  black-bordered  tribute: 

"To  the  dead  of  the  Maine." 


It  was  long  after  dark  when  we  reached  our  new  home,  and  we 
were  weary  enough  to  find  it  welcome;  but  glad  of  our  day's  work,  as 
a  type  of  many  more  which  we  confidently  expect  will  follow. 

In  our  banking  operations  I  learned  the  full  address  of  our 
excellent  hostess,  which  she  had  been  too  modest  to  name  to  me: 


"  Senora  Serafina  Moliner  de  Jorrin. " 

Titles:  "  Ecxelentisima."     "  Ilustrisima. 


We  have  always  had  occasion  to  feel  those  titles  to  be  well  deserved. 

Indeed,  in  groping  our  way  among  the  poor  and  helpless,  we 
have  found  that  Cuba  is  not  without  its  diamonds  of  worth,  nobleness 
and  culture. 

We  were  still  searching  diligently  for  a  suitable  location  for  the 
orphanage  which  I  had  been  requested  to  open. 

Through  the  social  relations  of  Senora  we  were  immediately  put 
into  communication  with  Senor  Jose  Almagro  on  Tulipan  street,  who 
placed  at  our  disposal  his  own  private  residence,  a  charming  house 
with  large  gardens,  stables,  swimming  baths,  fruit  and  flowers. 

Members  of  the  staff",  Drs.  Hubbell  and  Egan,  together  with  Dr. 
and  Mrs.  Lesser,  had  meanwhile  arrived  by  steamship  from  New  York. 

The  diary  goes  on  to  say  in  regard  to  the  orphanage,  its  location 
and  surroundings: 

"It  seems  to  lack  nothing.  Large,  commodious,  healthful,  easy  of 
access,  beautiful  to  elegance,  with  tropical  gardens,  royal  palms, 
swimming  baths,  and  capable  of  caring  for  two  hundred  children, 
either  well  or  sick, — and  for  all  this  the  modest,  little  rent  of  one 
hundred  and  two  dollars  per  month.     Attention  was  first  directed  to 


CUBA    AND   THE   CUBAN    CAMPAIGN.  531 

this  piece  of  property  on  Saturday,  February  27.  At  night  the  contract 
was  made  and  signed.  On  Sunday — "  tell  it  not  in  Gath  " — oh, 
Christian  world,  be  gentle  in  your  judgment,  if  a  few  men,  rather  than 
stand  about  the  streets,  hunger-stricken,  waiting  for  the  crust  that 
came  not,  earned  a  few  welcome  dollars  on  its  frescoed  walls,  stained 
glass  windows  and  marble  floors. 

"On  Mondaj^  seventy-five  new  cots,  blankets,  pillows  and  sheets 
adorned  its  spacious  rooms.  On  Tuesday,  March  i,  Mrs.  Dr.  Lesser, 
our  practical  "Sister  Bettina,"  who  had  taken  the  superintendence, 
made  the  necessary  outfit, — food  and  medicine  from  the  warehouse; 
and  from  Los  Fosos,  that  terrible  den  of  suffering,  the  pale  lifeless, 
helpless,  starved  little  creatures  to  fill  the  waiting  cots — a  few  good 
nurses  to  lift  the  heads  that  could  not  lift  themselves  and  fill  the 
mouths  that  had  scarcely  ever  before  been  filled." 

This,  then,  was  the  orphanage.  May  I  be  pardoned  for  saying 
reverently,  we  looked  on  our  work  and  found  it  good,  and  felt  that  we 
might  now  leave  the  little,  tired  creatures  to  rest  in  the  faithful  hands 
that  had  so  lovingly  and  intelligently  taken  them  up,  while  we  turned 
away  to  other  fields. 

Matanzas. 

Among  the  welcome,  notable  persons  who  from  time  to  time  visited 
us,  led  by  their  interest  in  the  great  suffering  reported  through  the 
press,  were  Senator  Redfield  Proctor  and  his  friend,  Hon.  M.  M. 
Parker,  of  Washington,  D.  C.  They  had  come  imbued  with  the 
desire,  not  only  to  see  the  condition  of  the  island  and  the  people,  but 
to  try  to  find  as  well,  what  could  be  done  for  them, — to  gain  some 
practical  knowledge  which  could  be  used  for  their  benefit.  There 
seemed  to  be  no  more  certain  way  of  their  gaining  this  information 
than  by  inviting  them  to  accompany  us  on  the  various  tours  of  inves- 
tigation which  we  would  be  now  able  to  make  outside  of  Plavana. 
Reports  of  great  suffering  had  come  from  Matanzas,  and  it  was  decided 
that  that  should  be  our  next  point  of  inspection.  The  once-a-day  run 
of  the  trains  made  early  rising  a  necessity;  and  half- past  four  in  the 
morning,  dark  and  chilly,  found  us  on  the  way  to  the  train  for 
Matanzas.  Our  own  small  party  was  joined  at  the  ferry  by  our 
Washington  friends,  and  together,  as  the  train  speeded  on,  we 
watched  the  gorgeous  sunrise  spread  itself  over  these  strangely 
deserted  lands. 


532 


THE  RKD  CROSS. 


Matanzas  has  some  fifty  thousand  of  its  own  inhabitants,  greatly 
increased  by  the  reconcentrado  element,  which  liad  gathered  there  to 
exist  hopelessly  in  enforced  idleness  for  nearly  two  years. 

It  is  needless  to  say  that  all  the  diseases  incident  to  exposure, 
physical  want  and  mental  woe,  from  gaunt,  lingering  hunger  down  to 
actual  starvation  and  death,  had  developed  among  them.  For  some 
reason — possibly  a  sense  of  pity — our  consul  seemed  to  dread  to  show  us 
their  worst, which  were  evidentlj'  their  hospitals,  and  hesitatingly  led  the 
way  to  other  centres  of  the  town.  But  there  was  no  hesitancy  on  the  part 
of  the  governor,  Senor  Francisco  de  Armas — a  royal  Cuban  and  a  new 
appointee  of  Captain-General  Blanco — with  warm  heart  and  polished 
manner,  in  welcoming  us  to  his  elegant  mansion,  and  in  bringing  his 
wife,  his  mother  and  sister,  to  assist  in  receiving  and  to  bid  us  welcome 
to  all  they  had  to  offer  or  that  we  could  desire.  The  half-hour's 
seance  in  that  polished  marble  salon,  with  its  spacious  elegance,  the 
deep  feelings  of  the  governor,  the  still  deeper  sympathy  of  the  ladies, 
whose  daily  time  is  given  to  the  poor  sufferers  around  them,  was  a 
scene  not  to  be  forgotten.  In  all  that  was  said,  not  a  word  of  crimi- 
nation, nor  a  disrespectful  allusion  to  any  person,  or  nation,  or  gov- 
ernment; but  the  glistening  eyes  and  trembling  lips  when  the  word 
Attiericajio  was  spoken,  told  how  deep  a  root  the  course  of  our  people 
had  taken  in  the  thrice  harrowed  soil  of  these  poor  broken  hearts. 

But  the  worst  must  be  seen,  and  as  we  drove  out  of  the  town  we 
halted  for  a  short  call  at  the  municipal  hospital,  generally  attended  by 
sisters  of  charity,  scantily  provided  it  is  true,  but  well  cared  for;  a  little 
is  paid  per  week,  either  by,  or,  for  each  patient  in  this  institution,  which 
helps  to  keep  up  the  general  fund.  Our  welcome  by  the  sisters  was 
most  cordial,  and  we  were  grateful  for  ever}'-  faint  smile  that  passed  over 
each  pallid  face.  A  mile  further  on  we  came  to  the  four  hospitals 
where  nothing  was  paid,  and  apparently  nothing  had.  There  were 
between  one  hundred  and  two  hundred  men,  women  and  children,  in 
all  stages  of  hunger  and  disease.  There  were  empty  beds  for  as  many 
more  that  could  have  been  thrice  filled  from  the  huts  outside;  but  the 
hospital  authorities  feared  to  take  more  in,  lest  they  die  through  their 
inability  to  feed  them.  It  is  not  my  purpose  to  detail  woe,  nor  picture 
horrors;  I  leave  that  to  others,  if  more  of  it  must  be  had;  let  my  few 
words  tell  \xo\\  they  were  met  and  how  the  comfort  that  could  be  given, 
was  given,  or  at  least  attempted. 

The  purses  and  the  pockets  of  our  entire  party  were  emptied,  and 
as  the  cold,  thin  fingers  closed  feebly  over  the  coin  so  strange  to  the 


CUBA   AND   THK   CUBAN    CAMPAIGN.  53J 

touch,  the  murmured  prayer  for  America  fell  from  ever}-  lip.  Our 
visit  had  beeu  one  of  inspection,  returning  to  Havana  by  the  afternoon 
train. 

The  hospital  committee  and  surgeons  had  been  organized  to  work 
under  our  charge,  and  begging  that  one  of  our  Red  Cross  men  be  tem- 
porarily assigned  to  them  for  their  distribution,  we  turned  our  steps 
toward  Havana,  with  a  thankfulness  unspoken  in  our  hearts  for  the 
great  head  of  our  country  who  had  asked  for  this  food,  the  great-hearted 
people  who  had  given  it,  and  the  efficient  and  tireless  committee  which 
had  organized  and  sent  it. 

The  train  of  next  day  took  out  .supplies  of  cereal  foods,  conden.sed 
milk,  malted  milk,  meal,  rice,  flour,  crackers,  meat,  fish,  farina,  toma- 
toes, canned  vegetables  and  fruits — more  than  enough  to  hold  those 
four  hospitals  comfortable  till  the  promised  shipment  by  the  "  Bergen  " 
from  New  York,  direct  to  Matanzas,  should  arrive. 

It  was  from  information  gathered  by  the  party  on  this  trip  that 
Senator  Proctor  afterward  made  his  speech  in  the  U.  S.  Senate  upon 
the  condition  of  the  reconcentrados. 


534 


THE   RED   CROSS. 


[From  a  speech  by  Senator  Redfield  Proctor,  of  V'ermont,  in  the  U.S.  Senate,  March  17,  iSgS.l 

There  are  six  provinces  in  Cuba,  each,  with  the  exception  of  Matanzas,  extend- 
ing the  whole  width  of  the  island,  and  having  about  an  equal  sea  front  on  the 
north  and  south  borders.  Matanzas  touches  the  Caribbean  Sea  only  at  its  .south- 
west corner,  being  separated  from  it  elsewhere  by  a  narrow  peninsula  of  Santa 
Clara  Province.  The  provinces  are  named,  beginning  at  the  west,  Pinar  del  Rio, 
Havana,  Matanzas,  Santa  Clara,  Puerto  Principe  and  Santiago  de  Cuba, 

My  observations  were  confined  to  the  four  western  provinces,  which  constitute 
about  one-half  the  island.  The  two  eastern  ones  are  practically  in  the  hands  of 
the  insurgents,  except  a  few  fortified  towns.  These  two  large  provinces  are  spokeu 
of  to-day  as  "  Cuba  Libre." 

Havana,  the  great  city  and  capital  of  the  island,  is,  in  the  eyes  of  the  Span- 
iards and  many  Cubans,  all  Cuba,  as  much  as  Paris  in  France.  But  having  visited 
it  in  more  peaceful  times  and  seen  its  sights,  the  tomb  of  Columbus,  the  forts  of 
Cabanas  and  Morro  Castle,  etc.,  I  did  not  care  to  repeat  this,  preferring  trips  in 
the  country. 

Everything  seems  to  go  on  much  as  usual  in  Havana.  Quiet  prevails  and 
except  for  the  frequent  squads  of  soldiers  marching  to  guard  and  police  duty  and 
their  abounding  presence  in  all  public  places,  one  .sees  little  signs  of  war. 

Outside  Havana  all  is  changed.  It  is  not  peace,  nor  is  it  war.  It  is  desolation 
and  distress,  misery  and  starvation. 

Every  town  and  village  is  surrounded  by  a  troclia  (trench)  a  sort  of  rifle  pit, 
but  constructed  on  a  plan  new  to  nie,  the  dirt  being  thrown  up  on  the  inside  and 
a  barbed  wire  fence  on  the  outer  side  of  the  trench. 

These  trochas  have  at  every  corner,  and  at  frequent  intervals  along  the  sides, 
what  are  there  called  forts,  but  which  are  really  small  block-houses,  many  of  them 
more  like  a  large  sentry  box,  loop-holed  for  musketry,  and  with  a  guard  of  from 
two  to  ten  soldiers  in  each.  The  purpose  of  these  trochas  is  to  keep  reconcentrados 
in  as  well  as  to  keep  the  insurgents  out. 

From  all  the  surrounding  country  the  people  have  been  driven  into  these 
fortified  towns  and  held  there  to  subsist  as  they  can.  They  are  virtually  prison 
yards  and  not  unlike  one  in  general  appearance,  except  that  the  walls  are  not  so 
high  and  strong,  but  they  suffice,  where  ever}-  point  is  in  range  of  a  soldier's  rifle, 
to  keep  in  the  poor  reconcentrado  women  and  children. 

Every  railroad  station  is  within  one  of  these  trochas  and  has  an  armed  guard. 
Every  train  has  an  armored  freight  car,  loop-holed  for  nmsketry,  and  filled  with 
soldiers  and  with,  as  I  observed  usually,  and  was  informed  is  always  the  case,  a 
l)ilot  engine  a  mile  or  so  in  advance.  There  are  frequent  block -houses  enclosed  by 
a  trocha  and  with  a  guard  along  the  railroad  track.  With  this  exception  there  is 
no  human  life  or  habitation  between  these  fortified  towns  and  villages  throughout 
the  whole  of  the  four  western  provinces,  except  to  a  ver}'  limited  extent  among  the 
hills,  where  the  Spaniards  have  not  been  able  to  go  and  drive  the  people  to  the 
towns  and  burn  their  dwellings. 


CAPTAIN   C.  D.  SIGSBE^ 


CUBA    AND   THE   CUBAN    CAMPAIGN.  537 

I  saw  no  house  or  hut  in  the  400  miles  of  railroad  rides  from  Pinar  del  Rio 
Province  in  the  west  across  the  full  widtli  of  Havana  and  Matanzas  Provinces,  and 
to  Sagua  La  Grando  on  the  north  shore  and  to  Cieufuegos  on  the  south  shore  of 
Santa  Clara,  except  within  the  Spanish  trochas.  There  are  no  domestic  animals  or 
crops  on  the  rich  fields  and  pastures  except  such  as  are  under  guard  in  the  imme- 
diate vicinity  of  the  towns. 

In  other  words,  the  Spaniards  hold  in  these  four  western  provinces  just  what 
their  army  sits  on. 

Every  man,  woman  and  child  and  every  domestic  animal,  wherever  their 
columns  have  reached,  is  under  guard  and  within  their  so-called  fortifications.  To 
describe  one  place  is  to  describe  all. 

To  repeat,  it  is  neither  peace  nor  war. 

It  is  concentration  and  desolation.  This  is  the  "  pacified  "  condition  of  the 
four  western  provinces. 

All  the  country  people  in  the  four  western  provinces,  about  400,000  in  number, 
remaining  outside  the  fortified  towns  when  Weyler's  order  was  made,  were  driven 
into  these  towns,  and  these  are  the  reconcentrados.  They  were  the  peasantry, 
many  of  them  farmers,  some  land-owners,  others  renting  lands  and  owning  more 
or  less  .stock,  others  working  on  estates  and  cultivating  small  patches,  and  even  a 
small  patch  in  that  fruitful  clime  will  support  a  family. 

It  is  but  fair  to  say  that  the  normal  condition  of  these  people  was  verj'  diff"erent 
from  that  which  prevails  in  this  country.  Their  standard  of  comfort  and  prosperity 
was  not  high,  measured  by  our  own,  but  according  to  their  standards  and  require- 
ments, ihcir  conditions  of  life  were  satisfactory. 

They  lived  mostly  in  cabins  made  of  palm  or  in  wooden  houses.  Some  of  them 
had  houses  of  stone,  the  blackened  walls  of  which  are  all  that  remains  to  show 
that  the  country  was  ever  inhabited. 

The  first  clause  of  Weyler's  order  reads  as  follows; 

"  I  order  and  command: 

"  First— All  the  inhabitants  of  the  country  now  out.side  of  the  line  of  fortifi- 
cations of  the  towns  shall  within  the  period  of  eight  days  concentrate  themselves 
in  the  town  so  occupied  by  the  troops.  Any  individual  who  after  the  expiration 
of  this  period  is  found  in  the  uninhabited  parts  will  be  considered  a  rebel  and  tried 
as  such." 

The  other  three  sections  forbid  the  transportation  of  provisions  from  one  town 
to  another  without  permission  of  the  military  authority,  direct  the  owners  of  cattle 
to  bring  them  into  the  towns,  prescribe  that  the  eight  days  shall  be  counted  from 
the  publication  of  the  proclamation  to  the  head  town  of  the  municipal  districts, 
ami  state  that  if  news  is  furnished  of  the  enemy  which  can  be  made  use  of  it  will 
serve  as  a  "  recommendation." 

Many  doubtless  did  not  learn  of  this  order.  Others  failed  to  grasp  its  terrible 
meaning  Its  execution  was  left  largely  to  the  guerillas  to  drive  in  all  that  had 
not  obeyed,  and  I  was  informed  that  in  many  cases  a  torch  was  ajiplied  to  their 
homes  with  no  notice,  and  the  inmates  fled  with  such  clothing  ns  they  might  have 
on,  their  st(x-k  and  their  belongings  being  approjiriated  by  the  guerillas. 

When  they  reached  the  town  they  were  allowed  to  build  huts  of  palm  leaves 
in  the  suburbs  and  vacant  places  within  the  trochas,  and  were  left  to  live  if  they 
could.  Their  huts  are  about  ten  by  fifteen  feet  in  size,  and  for  want  of  space  are 
30 


538  THE   RED   CROSS. 

usually  crowded  together  very  closely.  They  have  no  floor  but  the  ground,  and 
no  furniture,  and  after  a  year's  wear  hut  little  clothing,  except  such  stray  substi- 
tutes as  they  can  extetnpori/.e. 

With  large  families  or  with  more  than  one  in  this  little  space,  the  commonest 
sanitary  provisions  are  impossible.     Conditions  are  unmentionable  in  this  respect. 

Torn  from  their  homes,  with  foul  earth,  foul  air,  foul  water  and  foul  food,  or 
none,  what  woilder  that  one-half  have  died  and  thatone-quarter  of  the  living  are  so 
diseased  that  they  cannot  be  saved. 

A  form  of  drops}-  is  a  common  disorder  resulting  from  these  conditions.  Little 
children  are  still  walking  about  with  arms  and  chests  terribly  emaciated,  eyes 
swollen  and  abdomen  bloated  to  three  times  the  natural  size.  The  physicians  say 
these  cases  are  hopeless. 

Deaths  in  the  streets  have  not  been  uncommon.  I  was  told  by  one  of  our 
consuls  that  people  have  been  found  dead  about  the  markets  in  the  morning  where 
they  had  crawled  hoping  to  get  some  stray  bits  of  food  from  the  early  hucksters, 
and  that  there  had  been  cases  where  they  had  dropped  dead  inside  the  market, 
surrounded  by  food. 

These  people  were  independent  and  self-supporting  before  Weyler's  order. 
They  are  not  beggars  even  now.  There  are  plenty  of  professional  beggars  in  every 
town  among  the  regular  residents,  but  these  country  people,  the  reconcentrados, 
have  not  learned  the  art.  Rarely  is  a  hand  held  out  to  you  for  alms  when  going 
among  their  huts,  but  the  sight  of  them  makes  an  appeal  stronger  than  words. 

The  hospitals — of  these  I  need  not  speak;  others  have  described  their  con- 
dition far  better  than  I  can. 

It  is  not  within  the  narrow  limits  of  my  vocabulary  to  portray  it.  I  went  to 
Cuba  with  a  strong  conviction  that  the  picture  had  been  overdrawn;  that  a  few 
cases  of  star^-ation  and  suffering  had  inspired  and  stinmlated  the  press  correspond- 
ents, and  that  they  had  given  free  play  to  a  strong,  natural  and  highly  cultivated 
imagination. 

I  could  not  believe  that  out  of  a  population  of  one  million  six  hundred 
thousand,  200,000  had  died  withiu  these  Spanish  forts,  practically  prison  walls, 
within  a  few  months  past,  from  actual  starvation  and  disease  caused  by  insuffi- 
cient and  improper  food. 

My  inquiries  were  entirely  outside  of  sensational  sources.  They  were  made  by 
our  medical  officers,  of  our  consuls,  of  city  alcaldes  (mayors),  of  relief  commit- 
tees, of  leading  merchants  and  bankers,  physicians  and  lawyers.  Several  of  my 
informants  were  Spanish  born,  but  every  time  came  the  answer  that  the  case  had 
not  been  overstated. 

What  I  saw  I  cannot  tell  so  that  others  can  see  it.  It  must  be  seen  with  one's 
own  eyes  to  be  realized. 

The  Los  Fosos  Hospital,  in  Havana,  has  been  recently  described  by  one  of 
my  collagues.  Senator  Gallinger,  and  I  cannot  say  that  his  picture  was  overdrawn, 
for  even  his  fertile  pen  could  not  do  more.  He  visited  it  after  Dr.  Lesser,  one  of 
Miss  Barton's  very  able  and  efficient  assistants,  had  renovatea  it  and  put  in  cots. 

I  saw  it  when  400  women  and  children  were  lying  on  the  stone  floors  in  an 
indescribable  state  of  emaciation  and  disease,  many  with  the  scantiest  covering  of 
rags,  and  such  rags  !  and  sick  children,  naked  as  they  came  into  the  world.  And 
the  conditions  in  the  other  cities  are  even  worse. 


CUBA    AND   THE   CUBAN    CAMPAIGN. 


539 


Miss  Barton  and  her  work  need  no  indorsement  from  me.  I  had  known  and 
esteemed  her  for  many  years,  bnt  had  not  half  appreciated  her  capabiHty  and 
devotion  to  her  work.  I  especially  looked  into  her  business  methods,  fearing  there 
would  be  the  greatest  danger  of  mistake,  that  there  might  be  want  of  system, 
waste  and  extravagance,  but  found  she  could  teach  me  on  these  points. 

In  short,  I  saw  nothing  to  criticise,  but  everything  to  connnend.  The  Ameri- 
can jieople  may  be  assured  that  the  bounty  will  reach  the  sufferers  with  the  least 
possible  cost  and  in  the  best  manner,  in  every  respect. 

.•\nd  if  our  people  could  see  a  small  fraction  of  the  need,  they  would  pour 
more  "  freely  from  their  liberal  store  "  than  ever  before  for  any  cause. 

When  will  the  need  for  this  help  end  ?  Not  until  peace  comes  and  the  recon- 
centrados  can  go  back  to  their  country,  rebuild  their  homes,  reclaim  their  tillage 
plots,  which  quickly  run  up  to  brush  in  that  wonderful  soil  and  clime,  and  until 
they  can  be  free  from  danger  of  molestation  in  so  doing. 

Until  then  the  American  people  must  in  the  main  care  for  them.  It  is  true 
that  the  alcaldes,  other  authorities  and  relief  committees  are  now  trying  to  do 
something,  and  desire,  I  believe,  to  do  the  best  they  can.  But  the  problem  is 
beyond  their  means  and  capacity  and  the  work  is  one  to  which  they  are  not 
accustomed. 

General  Blanco's  order  of  November  13  last  somewhat  modifies  the  Weyler 
order,  but  it  is  of  little  or  no  practical  benefit.  Its  application  is  limited  to  farms 
"  properly  defended,"  and  the  owners  are  obliged  to  build  "  centres  of  defense." 


\^l^JMlJfW 


WM' 


\-«^'^ 


^V 


^<ir^^j'/y:^^ 


^    '   e* 


STRKET  IN  CAVITE  SHOWING  GENERAL  AGUINALDO'S  HEADQUARTERS. 


540  THK    RKD   CROSS. 


ARTEMISA. 

Whilst  these  various  provisions  and  improvements  in  and  around 
Havana,  in  the  little  orphanage  and  Los  Fosos  were  going  on,  food 
was  going  out  from  the  great  warehouse  upon  requisition,  to  thirty  or 
forty  towns  and  villages  in  number,  which  no  one  had  yet  had  the 
time  to  visit;  and  their  first  distribution  must  be  made  on  trust.  From 
many  sources  we  had  heard  of  the  needs  of  Artemisa,  several  miles  to 
the  east  by  rail.  As  usual,  there  was  but  one  train  daily  from 
Havana,  and  that,  like  the  road  we  had  traveled  to  Jaruco  and  Matan  ■ 
zas  on  the  west,  left  at  six  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  also  meant 
rising  at  half-past  four,  a  carriage  ride  of  three-quarters  of  an  hour  in 
the  (lark.  Our  party  again  formed,  including  Mr.  Ehvell,  Drs.  Hul)bell 
and  Egan,  Senator  Proctor,  Colonel  Parker  and  a  few  other  attendants. 
The  day  was  clear  and  fine,  affording  an  excellent  opportunity  to 
observe  the  condition  of  the  country  as  we  pa.ssed  through.  There 
was  entire  lack  of  cultivation  ;  the  tall  palm  threw  its  stately  shadow 
over  miles  of  desolated,  rolling  and  meadow  land  ;  no  people  in  sight 
save  in  the  little  thatched  hovels;  no  cattle,  no  tools,  the  rank,  wild 
grass  swarding  the  soil  where  the  richest  of  crops  belong;  and  we 
bringing  food  grown  on  the  sterile  fields  of  North  America,  among  the 
gravel  and  rocks,  with  a  quarter  of  the  year  under  snow,  nearly  one- 
half  under  frost,  to  a  country  like  this,  where  the  verdure  is  perpetual 
and  three  crops  possible,  where  the  rain  and  the  sun  never  fail,  where 
land  is  abundant  and  yet  where  millions  of  hands  want  acres  and 
millions  of  acres  want  hands.  Heavenly  Father,  what  is  the  matter 
with  this  beautiful  earth  that  Thou  hast  made!  "And  what  is  man 
that  Thou  art  mindful  of  him!" 

Eight  o'clock  in  the  bright  morning  sunshine  found  us  at  Arte- 
misa. A  brief  examination  by  carriage  served  to  show  us  where  its 
defences  had  once  been,  now  practically  abandoned  and  the  field  of 
military  activity  drawn  to  other  points. 

We  found  here  a  most  practical  mayor,  with  two  thousand  to 
three  thousand  people  about  him  almost  entirely  without  food.  Since 
November  24,  until  some  three  months  ago,  the  Spanish  government 
had  issued  small  rations  to  these  people,  but  these  grew  less  and  less, 


CUBA  AND   THE   CUBAN    CAMPAIGN.  541 

and  finally  stopped  altogether.     This  small  help  from  the  government , 
had  saved  the  people  thus  far,  but  they  were  now  beginning  to  be 
dangerously  hungry.     What  gladness  it  was  to  feel  that  our  provisions 
would  fall  in  just  in  time  to  save,  we  hoped,   the  greater  portion  of 
those  remaining. 

The  district  of  Artemisa  had  originally  10,000,  and  the  town  2000 
inhabitants.  Into  this  small  number  10,000  reconcentrados  had  been 
sent.  Three  thousand  of  these  had  died;  some  had  strayed  away  to 
other  places  in  the  hope  of  more  food  and  fewer  persons  to  eat  it;  5000 
still  remained.  In  August  770  persons  died — now  the  death  rate  is 
5  to  6  persons  per  day,  or  about  175  per  month.  We  found  only  one 
hospital  and  this  for  smallpox,  far  out  in  the  fields,  with  forty  patients. 
There  were  three  physicians  who  would  be  more  than  glad  to  make  up 
a  hospital — if  there  were  anything  to  provide  it  with — attend  to  it  per- 
sonally, and  find  women  who  would  care  for  the  sick,  as  nurses.  They 
were  directed  to  do  this  at  once,  and  suitable  hospital  food  would  be 
sent  to  them  as  soon  as  their  hospital  was  reported  ready  for  it.  They 
were  also  directed  to  gather  all  the  sick  in  the  outlying  hovels  and 
bring  them  into  hospitals.  One  of  our  physicians  would  go  directly 
with  the  food  and  assist  in  the  establishment  of  the  institution.  We 
remained  over  night;  the  distribution  of  food  which  had  been  sent 
them  took  place  at  seven  the  next  morning.  Their  system  of  tickets 
was  excellent;  a  better  system  of  relief  we  had  not  seen.  The  mayor 
himself  would  visit  every  family  and  the  physicians  the  same,  until 
the  sick  would  be  all  in  hospitals.  It  was  a  welcome  sight  at  eight 
o'clock  that  morning,  when  the  crowd  of  waiting  thousands  stood 
around  the  mayor,  to  see  the  tight  hand  grasp  on  the  bag  of  rations, 
like  a  godsend  from  heaven  when  hope  was  lost.  The  mayor  had  a 
thousand  acres  of  land  lying  within  the  military  lines  of  fortifications, 
which  he  ofiered  free  for  the  use  of  the  people,  if  they  could  get  permis- 
sion, and  if  the  people  could  help  to  cultivate  it.  In  three  months,  he 
said,  under  their  own  cultivation  it  would  feed  them  all. 

Our  work  at  Artemisa  closed  at  noon  and  we  returned  to  Havana. 


542  Till-:   RIvD   CROSS. 


SAGUA  LA  GRANDE. 

Referring  again  to  the  diar}-  I  find  the  following  record: 

Sagua  la  Grande  and  Cienfuegos  yet  remain  within  our  limits  to 
be  reached  at  once.  We  have  not  a  daj-  to  lose,  and  again  leave  at  six 
o'clock  for  Sagua  la  Grande.  This  means  the  usual  morning  ride  in 
the  dark,  the  ferr>'  and  the  beautiful  opening  of  the  day  speeding 
on  through  a  strange  land  of  waste  and  desolation.  Our  same  com- 
pany assembled,  and  as  we  neared  Sagua  we  were  met  by  our  friend, 
Consul  Barker,  and  later  on  the  mayor,  Senor  Machado.  Carriages 
were  taken  and  inspection  made  of  the  reconcentrados,  their  condition 
and  needs,  the  land,  etc.  While  there  is  evidently  great  want  here, 
there  is  still  an  atmosphere  of  care  and  eflfort  on  the  part  of  the  best 
people  and  the  officials  which  fills  one  wdth  an  earnest  desire  to  help 
them  on.  The  best  place  possible  for  the  poor  had  been  provided  by 
the  maj'or,  and  as  he  passed  among  them,  pointing  out  to  us  especial 
cases  and  conditions,  their  eyes  followed  him  wath  a  look  of  grateful 
devotion.  While  .S5'mpathizing  with  all,  his  deepest  care  seemed  to  be 
for  the  young  girls  ;  to  find  some  occupation  for  them,  and  some  pro- 
tection. The  plan  most  feasible  to  him  was  the  starting  of  a  cigarette 
factory  where  the  hundreds  might  be  employed,  with  suitable  time  for 
instruction,  earn  their  living,  and  be  kept  out  of  danger.  I  am  glad 
to  know  that  he  is  partially  succeeding  in  this,  and  also  that  he  had, 
and  I  think  still  has,  the  earnest  co-operation  of  our  good  consul  at 
Sagua,  Mr.  Barker. 

The  day  had  been  very  fully  occupied,  and  we  must  remain  until 
morning  to  witness  the  operation  of  the  kitchens  established  by  the 
consul  and  the  mayor,  where  the  poor  are  fed  with  well-cooked  rice, 
beans  and  such  vegetables  as  can  be  obtained. 

These  people  are  desperately  poor,  and  need  all  the  help  that  can 
be  given  them,  and  yet  they  are  not  in  the  condition  of  the  people  of 
Matanzas.  Their  doctors  are  caring  for  the  sick,  and  the  ladies  of  the 
town  giving  every  assistance  in  their  power.  The  mayor  again  reverts 
to  his  great  interest  in  the  young  girls;  "  Here  is  the  greatest  danger  of 
all.  Can  you  not  help  me  out  with  this  ? ' '  His  earnestness  made  such 
an  impression  upon  me  that  I  finally  asked  if  he  had  young  daughters 
of  his  own.    He  hesitated  a  moment,  and  then  with  a  look  of  confidence, 


CUBA   AND   THK   CUBAN   CAMPAIGN.  543 

as  if  he  were  about  to  entrust  a  secret  to  me,  he  replied:  "We  have 
an  adopted  daughter,  who  is  very,  very  dear  to  us.  She  is  the  sister  of 
Miss  Cisneros.  but  does  not  know  it,  and  we  have  not  the  conrage  to  tell 
her.  She  is  some  fourteen  or  fifteen  years  of  age,  has  read  everything 
regarding  Miss  Cisneros,  and  admires  her  intensely,  but  never  mistrusts 
the  relationship."  "Will  you  not  tell  her?"  I  asked.  "Oh  yes; 
some  day,"  he  replied,  "  and  it  must  be  before  long;  but  the  relation- 
ships are  so  sweet  that  my  wife  and  I  both  dread  to  break  them.  Of 
course,  some  day  we  must  tell  her,  but  we  put  it  off  as  long  as  we  can." 
He  then  explained  that  the  father  had  been  an  active  patriot  and  fell 
under  political  censure;  in  his  imprisoinnent  the  family  was  broken 
up,  and  this  little  girl,  then  a  mere  babe,  had  been  adopted  by  the 
mayor  and  his  wife,  who  were  intimate  friends  of  the  family.  I  hope 
I  have  not  betrayed  a  trust;  but  there  was  a  little  touch  of  romance  in 
this — something  so  sweet  and  paternal  in  the  relationship — and  some- 
thing altogether  so  interesting  in  the  thought  of  this  bright  young  girl 
reading  and  admiring  the  courage  and  successful  exploits  of  her  own 
sister,  without  ever  dreaming  that  it  was  anything  to  her — it  seems 
really  too  good  a  point  to  keep  dark.  I  trust  that  the  good  mayor,  if 
he  ever  learns  that  I  have  betrayed  his  trust,  will  forgive  me. 


S44  I'ni*:  R]':i)  croSvS. 


CIENFUEGOS. 


Although  a  rather  early  train  on  the  next  day  would  take  us  to 
Cienfuegos,  the  visit  to  the  kitchens  with  their  great,  steaming  cauld- 
rons of  food  must  not  be  passed  by.  Although  it  was  simply  beans, 
rice,  such  other  dry  vegetables  as  could  be  obtained,  and  the  little  meat 
or  lard  that  came  with  the  ration,  slowly  and  thoroughly  cooked,  it  was 
still  a  food  that  any  good  appetite  could  appreciate — wholesome,  clean 
and  as  abundant  as  the  circumstances  would  permit.  It  was  a  pleasure 
to  see  the  children  and  the  mothers  come  up  with  the  little  pails  and 
buckets  and  receive  the  one  large  ladle  of  food,  steaming  hot  from  the 
cauldron,  and  bear  it  cheerfully  away  for  the  coming  meal.  There  was 
a  degree  of  order  and  systematic  thought  in  this  rarely  met  under  occa- 
sions so  grave.  It  will  remain  ever  a  happy  memory  with  Consul 
Barker  and  the  good  mayor  of  Sagua,  that  under  their  wise  direction 
this  system  was  instituted  and  carried  out.  The  courtesies  of  the  rail- 
road were  cheerfully  extended  to  us,  and  without  incident  worth  relat- 
ing the  night  found  us  at  Cienfuegos.  The  country  round  about  Cien- 
fuegos is  favorable  to  cultivation ;  the  troubles  there  had  been  of  a  less 
grave  nature,  consequently  the  suffering  has  been  less.  Judging  from 
the  report  of  the  consul,  there  had  been  very  little;  but  to  our  stranger 
eyes,  upon  personal  observation,  there  were  traces  of  something  not 
compatible  with  thrift,  prosperity  and  happiness.  We  were  sure  that 
some  help  might  be  comfortably  given  there,  and  made  our  prepara- 
tions accordingly.  This  also  was  a  visit  of  investigation,  and  being 
Tuesday,  the  next  day's  boat  from  Havana  to  the  States  must  take  our 
good  friends  from  us,  and  an  early  start,  over  a  long,  jolting  road,  took 
us  from  Cienfuegos  back  to  Havana. 


CUBA   AND   THE   CUBAN    CAMPAIGN.  545 


BACK  TO  HAVANA. 

Our  journej'  through  the  three  or  four  districts  had  shown  us  the 
worst  of  human  suffering,  the  greatest  of  desolation,  and  a  degree  of 
discouragement  as  hard  perhaps  to  rail}'  the  people  from  as  the  absolute 
physical  conditions  under  which  they  existed.  We  had  arranged  for 
food  for  all.  The  ships  with  their  various  consignments  were  already 
on  the  way,  the  "Fern"  to  Matanzas,  a  shipment  from  the  Philadelphia 
Red  Cross  on  the  "Bergen,"  also  bound  for  Matanzas,  from  both  of  which 
supplies  could  go  forward  to  Artemisa  and  Sagua,  for  the  railroads  were 
generous  in  giving  free  transportation;  and  we  were  informed  that  a 
shipment  was  also  en  route  for  Cienfuegos.  Remembering  our  own 
generous  shipment  of  food  to  Matanzas  of  the  third  instant,  we  felt 
that  we  might  give  the  time  of  a  day  or  two  to  the  institutions  we  were 
founding  and  supporting  in  Havana.  The  little  hospital  was  grow- 
ing finely,  increasing  in  numbers,  and  the  numbers  increasing  in 
strength.  The  frail,  pale  creatures  were  commencing  to  sit  up  in  bed 
and  hold  the  playthings  that  generous  friends  had  brought  them  by 
the  basketful;  some  even  walked  about  and  tried  to  play.  Their 
heavenly  godmother,  "Sister  Bettina,"  was  providing  everything  for 
their  comfort,  also  for  their  nurses  and  the  little  household  that  made 
up  a  pattern  hospital.  Dr.  Lesser  had  established  a  clinic  on  the 
grounds,  and  under  the  shade  of  the  great,  beautiful  garden  trees  the 
poor  invalids  of  the  town  assembled  by  the  hundred  each  afternoon 
with  the  various  maladies  that  misfortune,  poverty  and  neglect  had 
brought  them.  The  gratitude  which  their  strange  tongues  spoke  in 
evident  blessing  upon  him  who  had  thought  to  come  to  their  relief,  and 
the  great  brown  eyes  that  followed  him  as  he  turned  quickly  and  gently 
from  one  to  another,  were  pictures  not  to  be  forgotten. 

lyos  Fosos,  on  the  other  hand,  was  fast  losing  its  terrors.  A  regular 
distribution  of  American  food  had  gone  into  it,  and  even  rooms  were  par- 
titioned off  for  a  dispensary,  fairly  well  provided  with  medicines,  and 
another  for  clothing  and  bedding  fast  filling  up  from  our  warehouse 
were  all  in  grateful  operation.  All  had  beds,  the  floors  and  stairs  were 
strengthened,  and  the  food  went  regularly  through  twice  a  day  among 
all  the  waiting  inmates.  M.  Sr.  J.  Palacios  z  Airoso,  the  Consul  of  Bo- 
livia, and  a  member  of  our  committee,  had  volunteered  to  take  personal 
charge,  and  his  fine,  manly  form  seen  day  by  day  among  these  poor, 


546  THE   RED   CROSS. 

sufferinr;;  creatures,  watching  and  providing  their  wants,  was  like  a 
benediction  from  heaven.  And  Sister  Bettina,  with  her  band  of  faith- 
ful nurses,  soon  carried  strong  traces  of  order  and  cleanliness  where  it 
had  once  seemed  impossible. 

The  morning  that  saw  our  first  welcome  party  of  American  visitors, 
Senator  Proctor  and  friends,  leave  us,  brought  another  party  still  larger, 
among  whom  were  Senator  and  dear  Mrs.  Thurston,  Senator  Money 
and  nieces,  Senator  Gallinger,  Mr.  Cummings,  Mr.  Smith,  and 
others.  It  was  not  only  comforting,  but  hopeful,  to  see  such  interest 
manifested  in  these  dreadful  conditions  by  the  highest  prestige  in  our 
country  and  those  who  had  it  in  their  power  to  make  these  conditions 
better.  We  welcomed  them  with  an  earnestness  they  could  scarcely 
comprehend. 

There  was  in  all  these  surroundings  a  feeling  akin  to  horror,  an 
isolation  from  the  world  it  seemed,  and  it  is  not  'difficult  to  under- 
stand the  welcome  we  gave  in  our  hearts  to  those  who  came  to  us. 
Our  new  guests  visited  Havana,  its  institutions,  the  little  orphanage, 
and  the  Los  Fosos  of  that  day — a  terror  to  them,  but  a  comfort  to  us, 
as  we  saw  it  daily  growing  better  and  better. 

Matanzas  must  of  course  be  visited,  and  another  early  morning 
train  found  our  large  party  en  route  for  that  city  and  the  sights  that 
had  so  distressed  us  ten  daj\s  before.  Although  realizing  how  terrible 
the  state  of  things  must  seem  to  our  part}'  of  American  visitors,  we  still 
rejoiced  during  the  entire  journey  that  they  were  not  to  see  those  hos- 
pitals in  the  condition  in  which  we  had  first  found  them.  Our  supplies, 
so  promptly  and  generously  sent,  we  were  sure  had  dulled  the  keen 
edge  of  hunger,  and  could  not  fail  to  show  an  improvement  there. 
Our  guests,  then,  would  not  see  all  the  terrors  of  unfed  famine  that  had 
so  shocked  \\s,  and  we  knew  that  by  that  time  the  ships  from  the  North 
must  have  arrived.  The  breakfast  at  the  hotel  and  a  second  visit  to 
our  hospitable  governor  brought  with  them  no  apprehension  of  what 
was  to  meet  us  a  little  later.  We  drove  to  the  hospitals,  to  learn  that 
no  food  had  been  distributed  or  received.  Those  whom  we  had  seen 
dying  there  on  our  first  visit  were  gone  ;  others  had  taken  their  places. 
and  it  was  only  a  repetition  of  the  first  visit,  with  the  addition  of  ten 
days  more  of  hunger.  Astonished  and  shocked  beyond  description, 
we  drove  at  once  to  the  railway  station,  to  find  in  its  freight  house  our 
four  tons  of  provisions  sent  from  Havana  ten  days  before.  Although 
every  notice  had  been  given  by  us  that  the  goods  would  be  sent — again 
that  they  were  sent — and  the  authorities  asked  to  look  out  for  them, 


CUBA   AND   THK   CTTRAN   CAMPAIGN.  547 

our  consul  appeared  to  have  no  intimation  that  they  were  there.  The 
hospital  authorities,  of  course,  had  none,  and  it  only  remained  for  us 
to  order  out  the  provisions  and  get  something  to  the  patients  as  quickly 
as  possible,  leaving  Dr.  Hubbell  to  see  that  at  last  they  had  a  supper. 

It  is  not  strange  that  from  this  event  went  out  the  cry  of  "  starving 
Matanzas, ' '  although  at  that  moment,  in  addition  to  our  four  tons  of 
goods  previously  sent,  the  "  Fern  "  lay  in  the  harbor  under  the  American 
flag,  with  fifty  tons  of  American  supplies,  and  fifty  rods  away  lay  the 
"Bergen,"  under  the  same  colors,  bearing  a  cargo  of  fifty-two  tons 
from  the  Philadelphia  Red  Cross,  faithfully  sent  through  the  New  York 
Committee,  by  request.  So  uncontrollable-  a  thing  is  human  excite- 
ment that  these  facts  could  not  be  taken  in,  and  the  charities  of  our 
whole  country  were  called  afresh  to  arms  over  "starving  Matanzas," 
which  was  at  that  moment  by  far  the  best  provided  city  in  Cuba.  The 
result  of  this  was  an  entire  train  of  supplies  from  Kansas,  which, 
remaining  there  after  the  blockade,  not  being  consigned  to  the  Red 
Cross,  was,  we  were  informed,  distributed  among  the  Spanish  soldiery 
by  the  Spanish  officials.  Goods  bearing  the  mark  of  the  Red  Cross 
were  everywhere  respected,  and  we  have  no  record  of  any  of  our  goods 
having  been  appropriated  by  the  Spanish  authorities. 

The  third  member  of  the  Cuban  Relief  Committee  of  New  York, 
Mr.  lyouis  Klopsch,  having  arrived,  it  was  perhaps  natural  and  proper 
that  the  work  of  relief  and  distribution  under  the  consul-general  should 
pass  to  his  direction.  Accordingly,  by  request  of  Mr.  Klopsch,  no  more 
visits  were  made  to  other  cities,  and  by  his  direction  Mr.  Elwell  gave 
his  entire  attention  to  the  warehouse,  and  I  continued  the  very  hopeful 
negotiations  I  had  commenced  with  the  Spanish  authorities  for  the  privi- 
lege of  unmolested  cultivation  by  the  reconcentrados  of  the  broad  glades 
of  land  lying  within  the  trochas.  In  some,  instances,  as  around  Sagua, 
hundreds  of  acres  lay  thus  unoccupied  by  either  Cubans  or  Spanish, 
and  only  the  fear  of  the  vSpanish  soldiery  from  their  own  side  of  the 
trochas  prevented  the  cultivation  of  this  land  by  the  reconcentrados 
gathered  in  the  towns.  In  some  long  and  earnest  interviews  with 
General  Blanco  I  laid  this  matter  before  him,  and  begged  his  inter- 
ference and  commands  on  behalf  of  the  safety  of  the  poor  people  who 
might  desire  to  cultivate  this  land.  The  captain-general  said  they 
had  the  matter  already  under  consideration,  and  desired  me  to  meet  his 
board  of  education,  who  would  be  glad  to  co-operate.  I  met  this  body 
of  gentlemen — middle-aged,  thoughtful,  intelligent  men.  They  had 
already  taken  some  important  steps,  but  were  perplexed  on  both  sides; 


548  Tlllv  RKD  CROSS. 

first  by  the  Spanish  soldiery,  liable  to  attack  the  workers,  likewise  the 
Cuban  guerillas,  who  were  equally  as  dangerous.  And  yet,  despite 
all  this,  some  important  steps  had  really  been  taken  and  some  little 
commencement  made.  I  need  not  say  that  the  exciting  news  which 
followed  in  less  than  a  month  put  to  an  end  all  thoughts  of  steps  in 
that  direction,  A  new  enemy  would  appear  and  the  ground  was 
likely  to  be  plowed  by  shells  from  the  monster  ships  that  would  line 
the  bay. 

I  met  the  Spanish  authorities,  not  merely  as  a  bearer  of  relief,  but 
as  the  president  of  the  American  National  Red  Cross,  with  all  the 
principles  of  neutrality  which  that  implied,  and  received  in  return  the 
unfailing  courtesy  which  the  conditions  demanded.  From  our  first 
interview  to  the  last  sad  day  when  we  decided  that  it  was  better  to 
withdraw,  giving  up  all  efibrts  at  relief,  and  leave  those  thousands  of 
poor,  dying  wretches  to  their  fate,  there  was  never  any  change  in  the 
attitude  of  the  Spanish  authorities,  General  Blanco  or  his  staff,  toward 
myself  or  any  member  of  my  staff.  One  of  my  last  visits  before  the 
blockade  was  to  the  palace.  The  same  kindly  spirit  prevailed;  I  was 
begged  not  to  leave  the  island  through  fear  of  them;  every  protection 
in  their  power  would  be  given,  but  there  was  no  guarantee  for  what 
might  occur  in  the  exigencies  of  war.  I  recall  an  incident  of  that 
day:  General  Blanco  led  me  to  the  large  salon,  the  walls  of  which 
are  covered  with  the  portraits  of  the  Spanish  officials  for  generations 
past,  and  pointing  to  the  Spanish  authorities  under  date  of  1776,  said, 
with  a  look  of  sadness,  "When  your  country  was  in  trouble,  Spain 
was  the  friend  of  America.  Now  Spain  is  in  trouble,  America  is  her 
enenty."  I  knew  no  answer  for  this  but  silence,  and  we  passed  out 
through  the  corridor  of  guards,  he  handing  me  to  my  carriage  with  a 
farewell  and  a  blessing.  I  could  but  recall  my  experience  with  the 
Turkish  officials  and  government,  where  I  entered  with  such  appre- 
hension and  left  with  such  marks  of  cordiality. 

During  this  interval  ot  time  important  business  had  called  me  to 
Washington,  and  I  only  returned  to  Cuba  some  time  during  the  second 
week  of  April,  when  the  diary  commences  with,  "strong  talk  of  war." 


CUBA   AND   TIIK    CUBAN    CAMPAIGN.  549 


LEAVING  HAVANA. 

It  is  needless  to  say  that  the  strong  talk  went  on — well  or  ill,  wise 
or  unwise,  welcome  or  unwelcome — it  went  on.  Evidently  the  block- 
ade was  near  at  hand  and  a  declaration  of  war  liable  to  follow.  What 
should  one  do  but  to  ask  counsel  of  all  within  reach  ?  I  have  given 
the  result  of  my  interview  with  the  Spanish  authorities;  cabling  to 
American  authorities  brings  the  answer,  ' '  The  consul  should  know 
best.  Take  no  chances. "  Reference  to  the  consul  brings  the  kindly 
reply,  "  I  am  going  myself."  The  order  was  for  all  American  citizens 
to  leave  Havana,  and  the  order  was  obeyed,  but  not  without  having 
laid  the  matter  formally  in  counsel  before  my  staff  of  assistants  and 
taking  their  opinion  and  advice,  which  was  to  the  effect  that  while  per- 
sonally they  would  prefer  to  remain  for  the  chance  of  the  little  good  that 
might  be  accomplished,  in  view  of  the  distress  which  we  should  give  our 
friends  at  home,  and,  in  fact,  the  whole  country,  when  it  should  be 
known  that  we  were  inside  that  wall  of  fire  that  would  confront  us, 
with  no  way  of  extricating  or  reaching  us,  it  seemed  both  wiser  and 
more  humane  to  leave.  And  the  ninth  of  April  saw  us  again  on  ship- 
board, a  party  of  twenty,  bound  for  Tampa.  We  would  not,  however, 
go  beyond,  but  made  headquarters  there,  remaining  within  easy 
call  of  any  need  there  might  be  for  us.  Here  follow  the  few  weeks  of 
impending  war.  Do  we  need  to  live  them  over?  Do  we  even  want  to 
recall  them  ?  Days  when  the  elder  men  of  thought  and  memory  pon- 
dered deepl)'  and  questioned  much!  When  the  mother,  patriot  though 
she  were,  uttered  her  sentiments  through  choking  voice  and  tender, 
trembling  words,  and  the  young  men,  caring  nothing,  fearing  nothing, 
rushed  gallantly  on  to  doom  and  to  death!  To  how  many  households, 
alas,  these  days  recall  themselves  in  tones  never  to  be  forgotten ! 

Notwithstanding  all  this  excitement  and  confusion  and  all  the 
pressure  that  weighed  upon  him,  our  good  President  still  remembered 
the  suffering,  dying  reconcentrados,  and  requested  that  a  ship  be 
provided  as  quickly  as  possible  loaded  from  the  warerooms  of  the 
indefatigable  Cuban  Relief  Committee  in  New  York,  and  be  sent  for  the 
relief  of  the  sufferers  in  Cuba  whenever  they  could  be  reached.  One 
need  not  say  with  what  promptness  this  committee  acted,  and  I  was 
informed  that  the  "State  of  Texas"  laden  with  fourteen  hundred  tons 
of  food  would  shortly  leave  New  York  en  route  for  Key  West,  and  it 


sso  TIIK  Rl<:i)  CRCXSS. 

was  the  desire  of  that  committee  and  the  Government  that  I  take  com- 
mand of  the  ship,  and  with  my  staff  and  snch  assistants  as  I  would 
select,  undertake  the  getting  of  that  food  to  its  destination. 

Some  mendjers  of  the  staff  were  in  New  York,  and  with  Dr. 
Hubbell  in  charge  sailed  from  that  port  on  vSaturday,  the  twenty-third 
of  April.  A  hasty  trip  from  Washington,  gathering  up  the  waiting 
staff  at  Tampa,  and  pushing  on  by  the  earliest  train  brought  us  to  Key 
West  in  time  to  meet  the  "  State  of  Texas  "  as  she  arrived,  board  her 
and  take  charge  of  the  snug  little  ship  that  was  henceforth  to  take  its 
place  in  American  history.  She  was  well  built,  but  by  no  means  new, 
nor  handsome.  Her  dull  black  hull  could  in  no  way  compare  with  the 
snow  white,  green  and  red  striped  ho.spital  ships,  those  heralds  of 
relief  that  afterwards  graced  the  waters  of  that  bay.  Still  she  was  firm, 
sound,  heavy-laden,  and  gave  promise  of  some  good  to  someone  at  some 
future  day,  that  day  being  only  when  the  great  war  monsters  should 
have  pealed  out  to  the  world  that  an  entrance  was  made  on  the  coast  of 
Cuba,  and  we  would  be  invited  to  follow. 

By  the  authorities  at  Washington,  the  "State  of  Texas  "  had  been 
consigned  to  the  protection  of  the  navj^  and  accordingly  we  must  report 
our  arrival.  This  was  done  to  the  senior  officer,  representing  Admiral 
Sampson,  in  the  port.  Captain  Harrington,  of  the  monitor  "  Puritan." 
This  brought  at  once  a  personal  call  from  the  captain  with  an  invita- 
tion to  our  entire  staff  to  visit  his  beautiful  ship  the  following  day.  The 
launch  of  the  "  Puritan  "  was  sent  to  take  us,  and  not  on!}'  was  the 
ship  inspected,  but  the  dainties  of  his  elegant  tea  table  as  well. 

When  all  was  over  the  graceful  launch  returned  us  safely  to  our 
ship,  with  grateful  memories  on  the  part  of  the  younger  members  of 
our  company,  who  had  never  chanced  to  form  an  intimate  acquaintance 
with  a  piece  of  shipping  at  once  so  beautiful  and  so  terrible,  as  that 
death  dealing  engine  of  destruction.  I  record  this  visit  and  courtesy 
on  the  part  of  Captain  Harrington  as  the  first  of  an  unfailing  series  of 
kindnesses  extended  by  the  navy  to  the  Red  Cross  from  first  to  last. 
There  was  no  favor  too  great,  no  courtesy  too  high  to  be  cheerfully 
rendered  on  every  occasion. 

The  memories  of  pitiful  Cuba  would  not  leave  us,  and,  knowing 
that  under  our  decks  were  fourteen  hundred  tons  of  food,  for  the  want 
of  which  its  people  were  dying,  the  impulse  to  reach  them  grew  very 
strong,  and  a  letter  was  addressed  to  Admiral  Sampson. 

This  brought  immediately  the  launch  of  the  "  New  York  "  to  the 
side  of  our  ship,  and  Captain  Chadwick,  the  gallant  ofiicer  whom  no 


CUr.A    AND   TIII<:    CIIIJAN    CAMPAIGN.  5S' 

one  forgets,  stepped  lightly  on  board  to  deliver  the  written  message 
from  the  admiral,  or  rather  to  take  nie  to  the  "  New  York."  Nothing 
could  have  exceeded  the  courtesy  of  the  admiral,  but  we  were  acting 
from  entirely  opposite  standpoints,  i  had  been  requested  to  take  a 
ship,  and  by  every  means  in  my  power  get  food  into  Cuba.  He,  on 
the  other  hand,  had  been  com:nanded  to  take  a  fleet,  and  by  every 
means  in  his  power  keep  food  out  of  Cuba.  When  one  compared  the 
two  ships  lying  side  by  side  and  thought  of  a  contest  of  effort  between 
them,  the  situation  was  ludicrous,  and  yet  the  admiral  did  not  absolutely 
refuse  to  give  me  a  flag  of  truce  and  attempt  an  entrance  into  Havana  ; 
but  he  disapproved  it,  feared  the  results  forme  and  acting  in  accordance 
with  his  highest  wisdom  and  best  judgment,  I  felt  it  to  be  my  place  to 
wait.  By  the  concurrence  of  the  admiral  our  letters  were  both  given 
to  the  public,  and  appear  elsewhere  in  these  pages,  and  we  remained, 
as  we  had  been,  neighbors  and  friends. 

These  days  of  waiting  were  by  no  means  lost  time.  The  accidents 
constantly  occurring  in  a  harbor  filled  with  transports,  kept  the 
surgeons  of  the  Red  Cross  constantly  in  active  duty,  while  the  twenty 
or  thirty  Spanish  ships  which  had  been  and  were  being  captured  as 
prizes,  lay  a  few  miles  out,  unprovided  either  by  themselves  or  their 
captors.  They  had  been  picked  up  whilst  out  at  sea,  some  of  them 
having  no  knowledge  of  the  existence  of  a  war  and  supposing  them- 
selves as  safe  as  in  the  balmiest  days  of  peace.  Most  of  them  were 
provided  with  a  little  open  well  in  the  bottom  of  the  ship  where  live  fish 
were  kept.  But  for  this  provision,  it  is  by  no  means  certain  that  deaths 
from  starvation  would  not  have  occurred.  The  ships  were  mainly  little 
Spanish  vessels — their  crews  honest  working  men,  who  knew  their 
.ships  and  the  hills  and  harbors  of  Spain  and  Cuba,  and  little  else — 
could  speak  no  word  of  any  language  but  their  own — our  people, 
unused  to  privateering  or  to  the  treatment  of  captives,  forgot  to  provide 
them,  and  thus  they  waited,  living  on  the  few  fi.sh  in  their  holds,  with 
neither  meat,  lard,  butter,  nor  oil  for  their  cooking,  nor  vegetables,  nor 
bread  as  accompaniments.  Our  men  learned  this  state  of  things,  and 
naturally  attended  to  it.  It  is  enough  for  me  to  say  that  recently  the 
thanks  of  all  Spain,  through  its  Red  Cress,  has  come  back  to  us  for  the 
kindnesses  rendered  her  captive  seamen. 

The  days  waxed  and  waned;  t?:e  summer  sun  poured  its  burning 
rays  down  on  the  glistening  waters  of  the  bay;  the  reveille  and  tattoo 
warned  us  that  we  were  in  camp,  with  the  little  difference  between  land 
and  sea — waitins:  for  some  onward  movement. 


TIIJC    RJCl)    CROvSS. 


TAMPA. 


Tampa  became  the  gathering  point  of  the  army.  Its  camps  filled 
like  magic,  first  with  regulars,  then  volunteers,  as  if  the  fiery  torch  of 
Duncraigen  had  spread  over  the  hills  and  prairies  of  America;  the 
great  ships  gathered  in  the  waters;  the  monitors,  grim  and  terrible, 
seemed  striving  to  hide  their  heads  among  the  surging  waves;  the 
transports,  with  decks  dark  with  human  life,  passed  in  and  out,  and 
the  great  monarchs  of  the  sea  held  ever  their  commanding  sway.  It 
seemed  a  strange  thing,  this  gathering  for  war.  Thirty  3'ears  of  peace 
had  made  it  strange  to  all  save  the  veterans,  with  their  gray  beards, 
and  the  silver-haired  matrons  of  the  days  of  the  old  war,  long  passed 
into  history.  Could  it  be  possible  that  we  were  to  learn  this  anew  ? 
Were  men  again  to  fall,  and  women  weep  ?  Were  the  youth  of  this 
generation  to  gain  that  experience  their  fathers  had  gained,  to  live  the 
war  lives  they  had  lived,  and  die  the  deaths  they  had  died  ?  Here  was 
abundant  food  for  reflection,  while  one  waited  through  the  days  and 
watched  the  passing  events. 

At  length  the  fleet  moved  on,  and  we  prepared  to  move  with,  or 
rather  after,  it.  The  quest  on  which  it  had  gone  and  the  route  it  had 
taken  bordered  something  on  the  mystery  shrouding  the  days  when 
Sherman  marched  to  the  sea.  Where  were  the  Spanish  fleets  ?  and 
what  would  be  the  result  when  found  and  met  ?  and  where  were  we  to 
break  that  Cuban  wall  and  let  us  in  ?  Always  present  in  our  minds 
were  the  food  we  carried,  the  willing  hands  that  waited,  and  the  per- 
ishing thousands  that  needed.  We  knew  the  great  hospital  ships  were 
fitting  for  the  care  of  the  men  of  both  army  and  navy.  Surely  they 
could  have  no  need  of  us,  and  the  knowledge  that  our  cargo  was  not 
adapted  to  army  hospital  use  brought  no  regret  to  us. 

These  days  of  quiet  waiting  were  like  the  lull  that  precedes  the 
storm.  The  time  seemed  long  regarded  only  from  that  standpoint,  but 
when  it  is  remembered  that  these  few  days  were  all  that  had  been 
allowed  for  a  great  nation  with  thirty  years  of  peace  to  rouse  up  and 
plunge  itself  into  a  war,  the  time  seems  comparatively  short.  We  had 
taken  possession  of  our  ship  at  Key  West  on  the  twenty-ninth  of  April; 
it  was  now  the  twentieth  of  June,  and  the  great  national  records  of  two 
countries  at  least  will  always  give  the  history  of  those  days.  It  is  our 
part  to  keep  as  clearly,  truthfully  and  kindly  as  possible  the  record  of 


CUBA    AND    TIIIv    CUliAN    CAMPAIGN.  555 

ihe  little  that  fell  to  us  to  perform  in  this  great  drama.  Our  arrange- 
ments for  putting  out  to  sea  were  quickly  made.  Such  supplies  and 
such  persons  as  were  not  to  go  wiih  us  must  be  landed  and  left. 
Among  the  latter,  to  our  deep  and  lasting  regret,  was  our  charming 
friend,  Mrs.  J.  Addison  Porter,  who  had  kindly  passed  the  last  v/ceks 
with  us,  leaving  us  as  she  did,  however,  with  the  comforting  promise 
to  return  if  she  should  find  it  possible. 

All  preliminaries  arranged,  at  ten  o'clock,  the  twentieth  of  June 
we  weighed  anchor  at  Key  West  and  steamed  for  the  open  sea,  having 
first  taken  the  official  advice  of  Commodore  Remie,  commanding  the 
navy  at  that  point,  to  find  Admiral  Sampson  and  report  to  him. 

The  twenty-fifth  gave  us  our  first  view  of  the  water  of  Santiago. 
Our  transports  and  battleships  were  gathered  there,  and  the  advice  of 
Admiral  Sampson  was  that  we  proceed  to  Guantanamo,  where  the 
marines  had  made  a  landing  and  were  camped  on  the  shore.  There 
had  been  some  fighting  at  Guantanamo.  The  "Solace"  was  there 
Its  harbor  was  fine,  and  the  run  of  forty  miles  was  made  by  noon  ot 
that  day.  Whoever  has  enjoyed  the  quiet,  sheltered  harbor  of  Guan- 
tanamo will  not  require  to  be  reminded  of  it — protected  on  three  sides 
by  beautifully  wooded  hills.  At  six  o'clock  our  anchors  sunk  in  the 
deep  still  waters,  and  we  had  time  to  look  about  us  and  see  for  the  first 
time  the  beginning  of  the  war.  The  marines  were  camped  diagonally 
along  the  brow  of  a  beautiful  hill.  On  our  right  a  camp  of  Cubans, 
and  all  about  us  the  great  monsters  with  their  protruding  guns  which 
told  of  forthcoming  trouble.  Captain  McCalla,  who  was  in  command 
of  Guantanamo,  had  sent  compliments  and  a  launch  pointing  out  our 
place  of  anchorage. 

The  courtesies  of  the  navy,  so  early  commenced  at  Key  West,  were 
promptly  continued.  At  eight  o'clock  we  received  a  visit  from  Com- 
mander Dunlap  of  the  "  Solace  "  which,  after  a  long  and  cordial  inter- 
view, closed  by  his  proposing  to  setid  his  launch  at  ten  o'clock  the 
following  day  to  take  our  entire  company  for  a  visit  to  the  "  Solace  " 
and  its  fifty  wounded  men.  If  that  beautiful  ship  or  its  management 
had  left  room  on  the  records  of  our  country's  mead  of  gratitude  for 
more  words  of  appreciative  praise,  I  should  be  glad  to  speak  them. 
Only  those  familiar  with  the  earliest  history  of  the  Red  Cross  in  our 
country  and  the  methods  by  which  our  navy  alone  of  all  the  Red  Cross 
nations  had  gained  even  an  approximately  legal  place,  can  judge  what 
the  sight  of  that  first  naval  relief  ship  on  our  American  waters  was  to 
me.     It  brought  back  so  vividly  the  memory  of  the  day  when  President 

Arthur  called  me  to  him  to  carefully  explain  the  conditions  of  the  treaty 
31 


S56 


Till-    Ul'l)    CROSS. 


which  he  had  just  signed  in  1881,  and  that  Congress,  having  gener- 
ously included  the  navy  in  its  treaty  for  war,  he  would  provide  to  hold 
it  carefully  until  the  probable  widening  of  the  original  treat}-  would 
include  the  7iavics  of  the  world  as  well  as  the  armies.  I  was  thankful 
for  the  7nodus  vivcndi,  which  I  knew  was  as  welcome  to  Spain  as  to 
ourselves,  that  had  made  it  possible  to  pick  up  these  poor  wounded 
sailors  and  give  them  kindly  care  among  their  own,  that  they  were  not 


lOCATlON  OF  SHORS  BATTKRIES,  SANTIAGO. 


to  be  left  uncared  for,  or  thrown  into  land  hospitals  where  everything 
would  be  strange  to  them.  My  twenty  or  thirty  assistants  glided  about 
the  polished  decks  of  the  magnificent  ship,  Vv^ith  a  kindly  greeting  for 
every  poor,  wounded  fellow,  and  delighted  with  everything  they  saw. 
For  me,  I  had  few  words,  prayerful  gratitude,  and  many  memories  of 
the  long  years  of  patient  waiting  that  had  brought  the  American  Red 
Cross  even  up  to  the  point  it  had  attained. 


CUBA   AND   THE   CUBAN    CAMPAIGN.  557 

Before  the  day  closed  news  came  to  us  of  a  more  serious  character 
than  we  had  before  learned.  The  daring  Rough  Riders  had  been 
hardly  dealt  by;  Hamilton  Fish  and  Capron  had  been  killed,  and  the 
wounded  needed  help.  Wherever  they  might  be,  it  must  be  possible  to 
reach  them,  and  it  was  decided  that  no  time  be  lost.  Our  men  com- 
menced work  in  the  hold  of  the  ship  to  get  at  medical  supplies  and 
dressings,  and  the  captain  took  his  orders.  I  find  in  my  diary  at 
the  close  of  that  day  the  following  paragraph: 

"It  is  the  Rough  Riders  we  go  to,  and  the  relief  may  be  also 
rough;  but  it  will  be  ready.  A  better  body  of  helpers  could  scarcely 
be  gotten  together. ' ' 

Nine  o'clock  of  the  same  night,  June  26,  found  us  in  Siboney  and 
anchored  in  its  waters,  which  can  scarcely  be  called  a  harbor.  It  seems 
to  be  rather  an  indenture  in  the  coast.  Shall  I  be  pardoned  if  I  again 
revert  to  the  diary  which,  by  some  means,  I  found  time  to  hastily 
pencil: 

Siboney,  Cuba,/««^.?7,  i8g8. 
We  were  wakened  at  daybreak  to  see  the  soldiers  filing  up  over  the  hill  in 
heavy  marching  order,  forming  in  lines  by  ones  and  twos,  winding  up,  in  and  out 
among  the  hills,  higher  and  higher,  like  a  great  anaconda.  As  we  watched  them 
through  a  glass,  they  were  a  moving  line  trailing  on  toward  the  clouds,  till  lost  in 
the  mist,  and  we  can  only  think  as  we  look  at  them,  on  how  many  or  on  which  is 
set  the  mark  of  death,  He  knows  no  more  than  we,  poor  fellow,  and  unthink- 
ingly, perhaps,  with  his  swinging,  careless  gait,  toils  up  and  up  and  waits  for — he 
knows  not  what. 


The  hospitals,  both  American  and  Cuban,  are  located  on  the  shore 
just  to  the  right  of  us,  and  have  been  visited  by  our  men  during  the 
night.  Some  of  their  surgeons  called  on  us;  all  seemed  interested  in 
the  Red  Cross,  but  none  thought  that  a  woman  nurse  would  be  in  place 
in  a  soldier's  hospital;  indeed,  very  much  out  of  place.  I  suggested  that 
that  decision  was  hard  for  me,  for  I  had  spent  a  great  deal  of  time  there 
myself.  They  appeared  to  understand  that  perfectly,  or  were  so  polite 
as  not  to  criticise  it,  but  there  seemed  to  be  a  later  line  which  could  not 
be  crossed.  The  Cubans,  who  had  just  come  into  camp,  were  less 
conventional  and  expressed  a  great  desire  for  any  assistance  we  could 
give  them,  "  Sister  Bettina  "  and  her  four  trained  "Sisters,"  Drs.  Egan 
and  Hubbell  went  ashore  to  the  hospitals.  This  had  been  proposed  the 
evening  before  at  General  Garcia's  headquarters;  but  they  were  begged 
to  wait  jtist  one  day  until  their  hospital  could  be  in  a  little  better  order. 
These  "Sisters  "  were  not  the  persons  to  grant  that  day  of  preparation. 


558 


Till-:    RKD    CROSS. 


Ou  the  contrary,  we  were  told  that  as  soon  as  they  were  fairly  in  the 
wards  they  commenced  putting  things  into  order  and  cleanliness,  and 
worked  through  the  day  without  interruption,  coming  home  only  after 
dark,  tired  it  must  be,  but  fresh  and  happy,  full  of  the  conviction  of  a 
work  well  done.  Long  before  that  day's  work  was  ended  our  own 
American  hospitals  alongside  commenced  to  be  jealous  of  the  Cubans, 
and  believed  that  they  had  spoken  first.  Be  that  as  it  might,  we  were 
equally  forgetful,  and  from  that  time  no  distinction  between  the  hospi- 
tals was  known. 

Dr.  Lesser,  Mr.  Kennan  and  Mr.  iilwell  tramped,  for  there  was  no 
other  mode  of  conveyance,  to  our  advance  line  within  three  miles  of 
Santiago.  They  found  the  artillery  up  and  things  nearly  ready  for 
attack,  which  it  was  thought  would  be  on  the  following  Wednesday. 

The  sea  grew  wild  and  rough;  the  water  was  too  deep  for  firm 
anchorage,  and  we  rocked  at  such  a  fearful  rate  that  in  pity  for  the 


JUI,Y   FIFTH  IN  RIFLE  PITS. 

pale  faces  about  me,  I  begged  the  captain  to  draw  as  near  the  shore  as 
possible  and  let,  at  least,  a  portion  of  them  onto  the  land.  Let  them 
have,  if  only  a  few  minutes,  the  solid  ground  under  their  feet.  He 
drew  up  to  within  two  or  three  hundred  feet  of  the  clifiF  which  runs 
around  like  a  firm  sea  wall,  and  succeeded  in  anchoring;  took  a  boat 
and  tried  to  land  some  of  our  people,  but  there  were  no  wharves;  the 
poor  little  seven  by  nine  bench,  designated  as  a  wharf,  running  out 
into  the  sea,  against  which  the  boats  swung  and  crashed  as  they  tried 
to  land  supplies,  was  all  there  was,  except  the  narrow  beach  with  a 
heavy  surf.  Our  people  declined  the  landing,  and  headsick,  heartsick 
and  seasick  returned  to  the  ship. 

We  had  been  long  without  news  from  the  United  States;  but  the 
next  day  brought  the  following  dispatch  from  the  New  York  Cuban 
Relief  Committee: 


CUBA   AND   THK   CUBAN    CAMPAIGN.  559 

Cobb  sails  Wednesday  with  Red  Cross  supply  boat.  All  articles  requested  by 
her  will  be  shipped.  The  launch  will  be  towed  from  Jacksonville.  Do  nou  want 
additional  nurses?  Five  hundred  tons  provisions  and  clothing,  also  three  ambu- 
lances complete,  shipped  to  Key  West  warehouse  this  week  from  New  York.  Send 
"  State  of  Texas  "  to  New  York  as  soon  as  can  be  spared.  Cobb  with  Red  Cross 
boat  expects  to  reach  Guantananio  July  5  to  10.  Ma.ssachusetts  relief  ship  cannot 
sail  before  middle  of  July.  Will  dispatch  .schooner  with  ice  within  a  fortnight. 
Make  your  requisitions  specific  in  kind  and  quantity. 


This  was  only  one  of  the  scores  of  di.spatches  reaching  us  within 
the  few  following  weeks,  and  I  repeat  it  here,  not  as  having  any  special 
significance,  excepting  to  show  the  uncertainty  and  utter  instability  of 
all  human  calculations.  Analyzing  this  kind-hearted  and  well-meant 
dispatch  in  the  light  of  the  future,  we  find  that  neither  the  Red  Cross 
supply  boat,  the  steam  launch,  the  Massachusetts  relief  ship,  nor  the 
additional  nurses  ever  reached  us.  The  ice  schooner  proved  to  be  the 
"Mary  E.  Morse,"  of  which  mention  is  made  elsewhere.  The  five 
hundred  tons  of  provisions  shipped  to  the  Key  West  warehouse  were  dis- 
tributed there.  I  name  this,  not  in  any  spirit  of  complaint — far  from  it, 
indeed — but  simply  to  show  still  further  and  make  more  apparent,  if 
possible,  the  difi5culties  attendant  upon  all  work  at  a  field  of  war. 
Those  who  have  seen  only  this  one  war  will  find  these  uncertainties 
and  shortcomings  very  strange,  and  unaccountable;  to  me,  who  had 
seen  other  wars,  they  seemed  natural,  probably  largely  inevitable,  and 
quite  the  thing  to  be  expected,  the  fatal  results  of  which  misfortunes  I 
had  spent  half  my  lifetime  in  instituting  measures  to  prevent  or  lessen. 

We  were  honored  next  day  by  a  call  from  an  officer  of  the 
"Olivette,"  with  his  assistant.  It  is  not  singular,  in  the  light  of  the 
great,  elegant,  newly-fitted  ship  at  his  command,  that  it  was  difficult 
for  him  to  realize  the  use  or  the  necessity  of  an  unpretending  little 
black  boat  like  the  "  State  of  Texas,"  or  of  what  service  it  could  be 
expected  to  be  to  an  army.  We  labored  to  impress  upon  him  the  fact 
that  this  ship  did  not  come  for  the  war,  but  was  loaded  and  dispatched 
weeks  before  there  was  any  war,  and  simply  waited  an  opportunity  to 
deliver  its  cargo  to  the  hungry  and  naked  reconcentrados  for  whom 
they  were  designed.  This  explanation  we  hoped  would  make  it  appa 
rent  to  the  gentleman,  how  it  was,  that  our  supplies  of  clothing  would 
not  be  likely  to  contain  the  articles  of  which  he  said  his  ship  was  in 
want;  it  probably  never  having  entered  into  the  minds  of  our  .sympa- 
thetic generous  lady  donors  of  America  to  provide  pajamas  for  Cuban 
women.    Anything  we  had  \v3.s  freely  at  his  service.     If  we  made  any 


56o  TIIIC  Rl-D  CROSS. 

attempt  at  cotiversion  (which  I  do  not  now  recall),  it  was  simply  on  the 
line  of  a  better  understanding  of  Red  Cross  methods  and  principles 
as  connected  with  his  profession,  and  7iot  sl  change  of  heart. 

With  the  constant  reminders  of  the  sufferings  of  the  people  on 
shore  and  our  inability  to  reach  them,  it  was  a  welcome  errand  brought 
by  a  dispatch  boat  that  afternoon  from  Captain  McCalla,  that  if  we 
could  get  five  thousand  rations  to  him  before  the  next  Thursday  morn- 
ing, he  could  find  a  way  to  deliver  them  to  the  refugee  families  of  insur- 
gents and  others  lying  out  in  the  hills  and  woods  beyond  his  camp  at 
Guantanamo,  where  they  had  fled  for  safety.  We  steamed  at  once  to 
Guantanamo  and  landed  the  rations  next  morning,  returning  toSiboney 
the  same  afternoon.  The  next  day  our  working  force  was  busy  all  day 
getting  off  material  to  refugees  coming  in  from  the  mountains.  Gene- 
ral Garcia  detailed  a  detachment  to  repair  pontoons  for  the  purpose  of 
landing  the  supplies.  Captain  McCalla  cabled  for  twenty  thousand 
rations  for  refugees,  to  be  delivered  at  Guantanamo  by  Sunday. 

Our  Red  Cross  sisters  and  surgeons  were  all  busy  at  the  Cuban 
Hospital,  when  the  following  letter  from  Major  Le  Garde  was 
received : 


To  Miss  Clara  Barton,  President  American  National  Red  Cross  : 

I  have  the  honor  to  request  your  assistance  in  caring  for  the  patients  in  a  so- 
called  hospital  near  the  landing  at  this  point.  The  orders  are  to  the  effect  that  all 
patients  now  under  treatment  on  the  shore  shall  be  transferred  to  the  "  Iroquois  " 
and  "  Olivette,"  but  the  facilities  for  carrying  out  this  order  are  apparently  inade- 
quate. In  order  that  the  Divisional  Hospital  may  remain  unhampered  for  the  care 
of  the  wounded  in  the  engagement  about  to  take  place,  it  is  necessary  for  me  to 
request  this  favor  of  you,  and  I  trust  that  you  may  find  it  possible  to  comply  with 
said  request. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

Louis  A.  Le  Garde, 
Major  and  Surge 071,  U.  S.  A.,  Commanding  Hospital. 

To  this  the  following  reply  was  immediately  returned: 

Steamship  "State  of  Texas," 
SiBONEY,  Santiago  de  Cuba,  June  30, 1898. 
Dr.  Louis  A.  LE  Garde, 

Major  and  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A.,  Commanding  Hospital : 
Major  : — Permit  me,  I  pray  you,  to  ex  press  the  great  pleasure  given  me  by  your 
cordial  letter  inviting  the  assistance  of  the  persons  here  under  my  direction  in  the 
care  of  the  sick  and  wounded  of  the  engagement  about  to  take  place. 


CUBA    AND    tup:    CUBAN    CAMPAIGN.  561 

Although  not  here  as  a  hospital  ship  by  any  means,  nor  legitimately  fitted  for 
the  work,  still  we  have  some  hospital  supplies,  a  few  intelligent  workers,  skill, 
intrepidity,  experience,  the  willingness  to  serve,  the  readiness  to  obey,  and  I 
believe,  the  true  spirit  of  the  Red  Cross,  that  seeks  to  help  humanity  wherever  its 
needs  exist. 

I  send  them  to  you  in  the  hope  that  they  may  be  of  service.  With  grateful 
appreciation,  1  am,  doctor, 

Most  cordially  yours, 

Clara  Barton, 
President  Afnerican  National  Red  Cross. 


In  the  afternoon  of  this  day  some  members  from  our  ship  went 
ashore  and  visited  the  Cuban  Hospital  and  General  Garcia' s  head- 
quarters, which  that  general,  on  leaving  Siboney  had  graciously  ordered 
to  be  placed  "  at  Miss  Barton's  disposal  as  headquarters  for  herself  and 
her  staff."  It  was  found,  however,  that  the  building  would  be  required 
by  the  military,  and  the  matter  was  given  no  further  consideration. 

On  the  first  of  July  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Lesser  with  their  assistants  went 
early  ashore  to  work  in  the  hospitals,  both  United  States  and  Cuban. 
The  transport  "  Harvard"  arriving  with  troops,  demanded  our  anchor- 
age, and  on  coming  out  of  the  harbor  to  give  place  to  her,  we  saw  that 
a  bombardment  of  Aguadores,  five  miles  to  the  west,  was  taking  place. 
A  battleship,  perhaps  the  "Oregon,"  the  flagship  "New  York"  and 
a  little  cruiser  were  standing  in  near  the  shore,  the  latter  keeping  up  a 
rapid  fire,  which  was  responded  to  by  the  batteries  on  both  sides  of  a 
ravine  which  the  railroad  crossed.  We  ran  down  as  close  as  safety 
permitted  and  watched  the  engagement  from  the  bridge  of  our  own 
ship.  The  two  large  ships  then  drew  in  and  shelled  the  ravine,  appar- 
ently silencing  the  batteries.  When  we  returned  to  Siboney  we  learned 
that  our  troops  had  been  fighting  all  day,  and  that  large  numbers  of 
wounded  were  walking  or  being  brought  in  for  treatment.  The  Red 
Cross  had  been  requested  to  take  entire  charge  of  a  fever  hospital  of 
United  States  troops,  which  it  did.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Lesser  and  two  of  the 
Sisters  were  assisting  in  the  operating  tent.  All  of  us  worked  nearly 
through  the  night — the  nurses  and  physicians  as  above  stated;  the 
others  taking  out  supplies  for  wounded — one  hundred  cots,  bedding, 
hospital  utensils,  medicine,  food,  etc.  The  reports  were  that  we  had 
taken  and  held  all  the  commanding  positions  around  Santiago,  but  that 
it  had  cost  us  four  hundred  men. 

The  diary  of  July  2  says  :  The  day  opened  cool  and  fresh,  and 
although  having  worked  steadily  until  three  o'clock  the  night  previous, 


562  Tine    RED   CROSS. 

when  they  had  been  brought  back  to  the  ship  for  a  little  rest,  the  Sisters 
were  ready  for  work  at  half-past  six.  Sisters  Anna  and  Isabell  had 
been  on  duty  all  iii";ht,  and  must  now  be  relieved.  Dr.  Egan  and  Mr. 
Kennan  made  ready  for  the  front,  the  former  to  have  a  field  hospital. 

With  a  portion  of  my  assistants  I  go  ashore  to  visit  the  hospitals  in 
the  early  part  of  the  day,  to  learn  if  anything  further  can  be  done  for 
them.  We  find  the  wounded  coming  in  rapidly,  long  rows  of  hospital 
tents  being  filled  with  them,  and  many  waiting  their  turn  on  the  operat- 
ing tables.  We  learned  that  the  officers  had  suffered  very  severely, 
having  been  picked  off  by  Spanish  sharpshooters.  A  note  came  by 
messenger  from  Mr.  Kennan  at  the  front,  saying  that  by  order  from 
General  Shafter's  headquarters  "  Miss  Barton  was  directed  to  seize  any 
empty  wagons  coming  in  and  send  by  them  hospital  supplies,  medical 
Stores,  which  were  badly  needed  at  the  front."  This  direction  would  of 
course  be  filled  as  far  as  possible;  the  supplies  would  be  gotten  out  and 
sent,  and  it  was  decided  that  myself  and  as  many  of  our  assistants  as 
could  be  spared  go  with  them  the  next  day.  These  were  anxious, 
trying  days  throughout  the  whole  country.  All  America  was  astir, 
once  more  in  the  dreaded  throes  of  war. 

Another  dispatch  from  our  committee  at  New  York  reveals  this 
state  of  feeling: 

New  York,  July  2,  iSg8. 
Barton,  Santiago  de  Cuba: 

Government     transport    "Port    Victor"    sailing     New    York,  Wednesday 

via  Tampa  takes  all  our  supplies  to  Santiago.     Look  out  for  arrival.  Twenty-five 

nurses  go  there  Tuesday;  more  follow;  order  them  forward  if  needed.  Report  your 
actions.     People  anxious. 

To  which  the  following  reply  is  returned: 

Dispatch  received.  Lesser's  force  attending  wounded  here  constantly  coming 
in.  Elwell  and  force  landing  supplies  in  the  surf  at  night,  without  dock,  under 
great  difficulties  and  dangers.  An  urgent  appeal  from  the  front  for  medicines  and 
food.  None  there.  Will  try  to  get  two  four-mule  wagons  full  to  them  to-night 
and  go  ourselves.  Have  reported  all  we  could.  No  telegraph  here  till  to-day.  No 
dispatch  boats.     No  post-office.     We  also  anxious. 


July  3  opened  clear  and  bright,  the  commencement  of  a  hard  and 
busy  day,  to  be  long  remembered.  Our  shippers  had  been  landing 
supplies  all  night  and  keeping  such  guard  over  them  on  the  sandy 
beach  as  was  possible. 


CUBA   AND   THE   CUBAN    CAMPAIGN.  563 

The  daily  record  of  our  movements  kept  always  up  and  open,  like 
the  log  of  the  ship,  must  now  fall  to  the  hands  of  our  faithful  stenog- 
rapher, Miss  Ivucy  Graves,  and  taking  up  her  duties  bravely  that  day, 
she  commences  with  this  paragraph: 

"Miss  Barton,  with  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Gardner,  Dr.  Hubbell  and  Mr, 
McDowell,  leave  for  the  front  to-day,  taking  two  six- mule  wagon  loads 
of  hospital  supplies."  To  the  young  writer  it  was  a  simple  note  in  the 
records  of  the  day,  having  no  special  significance.  As  my  eye  glanced 
over  it  it  seemed  very  strange— passing  strange,  that  after  all  this  more 
than  a  quarter  of  a  century  I  should  be  again  taking  supplies  to  the 
front  of  an  army  in  the  United  States  of  America;  that  after  all  these 
years  of  Red  Cross  instruction  and  endeavor,  it  was  still  necessary  to 
promiscuously  seize  an  army  wagon  to  get  food  to  wounded  men. 

I  hope  in  someway  it  may  be  made  apparent  to  any  one  who  follows 
these  notes  how  difficult  a  thing  it  was  to  get  this  food  from  our  ship 
to  the  shore.  In  a  surf  which  after  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning  allowed 
no  small  boat  to  touch  even  the  bit  of  a  pier  that  was  run  out  without 
breaking  either  the  one  or  the  other,  and  nothing  in  the  form  of  a 
lighter  save  two  dilapidated  flat  boat  scows  which  had  been  broken  and 
cast  away  by  the  engineer  corps,  picked  up  by  ourselves,  mended  by 
the  Cubans,  and  gotten  in  condition  to  float  alongside  our  ship  and 
receive  perhaps  three  or  four  tons  of  material.  This  must  then  be 
rowed  or  floated  out  to  the  shore,  run  on  to  the  sands  as  far  as  possible, 
the  men  jumping  into  the  water  from  knee  to  waist  deep,  pulling  the 
scow  up  from  the  surf,  and  getting  the  material  on  land.  This  was 
what  was  meant  by  loading  the  "  seized  wagons  from  the  front "  and 
getting  food  to  the  wounded.  After  ten  o'clock  in  the  day  even  this 
was  impossible,  and  we  must  wait  until  the  calm  of  the  next  morning, 
three  or  four  o'clock,  to  commence  work  again  and  go  through  the  same 
struggle  in  order  to  get  something  to  load  the  wagons  for  that  day. 

Our  supplies  had  been  gotten  out,  all  that  could  be  sent  that  day 
for  the  heavy  surf,  and  among  the  last,  rocking  and  tossing  in  our  little 
boat,  went  ourselves,  landing  on  the  pier,  which  by  that  time  was 
breaking  in  two,  e.scaping  a  surf  which  every  other  moment  threatened 
to  envelop  one  from  feet  to  head,  we  reached  the  land.  Our  wagons 
were  there  already  loaded  with  our  best  hospital  material, — meal,  flour, 
condensed  milk,  malted  milk,  tea,  coffee,  sugar,  dried  fruits,  canned 
jfruits,  canned  meats,  and  such  other  things  as  we  had  been  able  to  get 
tout  in  the  haste  of  packing — entirely  filling  the  two  wagons. 

An  ambulance  had  been  spoken  of,  but  could  not  be  had.  We 
walked    out    a   little   way  to  wait  for  it.     Dr.    Hubbell  left  our  party 


564  THE   RED   CROSS. 

and  went  again  in  search  of  an  ambulance,  notwithstanding  the  assur- 
ance that  an  army  wagon  would  answer  our  purpose  quite  as  well. 
These  were  going  line  by  line  up  to  the  front,  mainly  with  ammunition. 
We  waited  a  little  by  the  roadside;  the  doctor  did  not  return;  our  own 
wagons  had  gone  on,  and  stopping  another  loaded  with  bales  of  hay, 
we  begged  a  ride  of  the  driver,  and  all  took  our  seats  among  the  hay 
and  made  our  way  once  more  to  the  front. 

The  road  was  simply  terrific — clayey,  muddy,  wet  and  cut  to  the 
hub.  A  ride  of  about  four  hours  brought  us  to  the  First  Division  Hos- 
pital of  the  Fifth  Army  Corps,  General  Shafter's  headquarters.  This 
was  properly  the  second  day  after  the  fight.  Two  fearful  nights  had 
passed. 

The  sight  that  greeted  us  on  going  into  the  so-called  hospital 
grounds  was  something  indescribable.  The  land  was  perfectly  level — 
no  drainage  whatever,  covered  with  long,  tangled  grass,  skirted  by 
trees,  brush  and  shrubbery — a  few  little  dog  tents,  not  much  larger  than 
would  have  been  made  of  an  ordinary  tablecloth  thrown  over  a  short  rail, 
and  under  these  lay  huddled  together  the  men  fresh  from  the  field  or  from 
the  operating  tables,  with  no  covering  over  them  save  such  as  had  clung 
to  them  through  their  troubles,  and  in  the  majority  of  cases  no  blanket 
under  them.  Those  who  had  come  from  the  tables,  having  been  com- 
pelled to  leave  all  the  clothing  they  had,  as  having  been  too  wet,  muddy 
and  bloody  to  be  retained  by  them,  were  entirely  uude,  lying  on  the 
stubble  grass,  the  sun  fitfully  dealing  with  them,  sometimes  clouding 
over,  and  again  streaming  out  in  a  blaze  above  them.  As  we  passed, 
we  drew  our  hats  over  our  eyes,  turning  our  faces  away  as  much  as 
possible  for  the  delicacy  of  the  poor  fellows  who  lay  therewith  no  shel- 
ter either  from  the  elements  or  the  eyes  of  the  passers-by. 

Getting  past  them  as  quickly  as  possible,  and  seeing  a  smoke  ahead 
of  us,  and  relying  upon  the  old  adage  that  where  there  is  smoke  there 
must  be  fire,  we  went  to  it.  A  half-dozen  bricks  had  been  laid  about  a 
yard  apart,  a  couple  of  pieces  of  wagon-tire  laid  across  these,  so  low 
and  so  near  the  ground  that  no  fire  of  any  strength  or  benefit  could 
be  made,  the  bits  of  wet  wood  put  under  crosswise,  with  the  smoke 
streaming  a  foot  out  on  each  side,  and  two  kettles  of  coffee  or  soup 
and  a  small  frying-pan  with  some  meat  in  it,  appeared  to  be  the 
cook-house  for  these  men.  They  told  us  there  were  about  eight  hun- 
dred men  under  the  tents  and  lying  in  the  grass,  and  more  constantly 
coming  in. 

I  looked  at  the  men  who  had  constructed  and  who  had  charge  of 
that    ' '  fireplace, ' '   and  saw  how  young  and  inexperienced  the  faces 


CUBA    AND    THE    CUBAN    CAMPAIGN.  565 

were,  and  how  little  they  coa/d  know  o(  the  making  up  of  a  camp,  and 
how  unsatisfactory  it  must  all  be  to  themselves,  and  was  filled  with  a 
sense  of  pity  for  them  as  well  as  the  poor  sufferers  they  were  trying  to 
serve.  I  looked  around  for  the  faces  of  some  old  veterans  of  the  wars 
before,  who  could  bring  a  little  knowledge  gained  from  practice.  There 
were  none  there,  but  here  was  our  own  McDowell,  with  a  record  of 
four  years  and  twenty-six  battles  in  the  old  Civil  War,  and  after  a  few 
moments'  consultation  as  to  the  best  method  to  be  pursued,  we,  too, 
gathered  stones  and  bricks  and  constructed  a  longer,  higher  fireplace, 
got  more  wagon-tires,  found  the  water,  and  soon  our  great  agate  kettles 
of  seven  and  ten  gallons  were  filled.  But  the  wood!  It  was  green, 
not  resinous  as  the  wood  of  some  islands.  In  Corsica,  for  instance,  one 
may  take  the  green,  wet  wood  and  make  a  blazing  fire.  The  wood  of 
Cuba  is  beautiful  in  quality,  but  hard  and  slow  to  burn. 

The  rain,  that  had  been  drizzling  more  or  less  all  day,  increased. 
Our  supplies  were  taken  from  the  wagon,  a  piece  of  tarpaulin  found  to 
protect  them,  and  as  the  fire  began  to  blaze  and  the  water  to  heat  Mrs. 
Gardner  and  I  found  the  way  into  the  bags  and  boxes  of  flour,  salt, 
milk  and  meal,  and  got  material  for  the  first  gallons  of  gruel.  I  had 
not  thought  to  ever  make  gruel  again  over  a  camp-fire;  I  cannot  say 
how  far  it  carried  me  back  in  the  lapse  of  time,  or  really  where  or  who 
I  felt  that  I  was.  It  did  not  seem  to  be  me,  and  still  I  seemed  to  know 
how  to  do  it,  and  when  the  bubbling  contents  of  our  kettles  thickened 
and  grew  white  with  the  condensed  milk,  and  we  began  to  give  it  out, 
putting  it  in  the  hands  of  the  men  detailed  as  nurses  and  of  our  own 
to  take  it  around  to  the  poor  sufferers  shivering  and  naked  in  the  rain, 
I  felt  again  that  perhaps  it  was  not  in  vain  that  history  had  reproduced 
itself  And  when  the  nurses  came  back  and  told  us  of  the  surprise 
with  which  it  was  received  and  the  tears  that  rolled  down  the  sun- 
burned, often  bloody,  face  into  the  cup  as  the  poor  fellow  drank  his  hot 
gruel  and  asked  where  it  came  from,  who  sent  it,  and  said  it  was  the 
first  food  he  had  tasted  in  three,  sometimes  in  four,  days  (for  they  had 
gone  into  the  fight  hungry),  I  felt  it  was  again  the  .same  old  story,  and 
wondered  what  gain  there  had  been  in  the  last  thirty  years.  Had  any- 
thing been  worse  than  this?  But  still,  as  we  moralized,  the  fires 
burned  and  the  gruel  steamed  and  boiled  and  bucket  after  bucket  went 
out,  until  those  eight  hundred  men  had  each  his  cup  of  gruel  and  knew 
that  he  could  have  another  and  as  many  as  he  wanted.  The  day  waned 
and  the  darkness  came  and  still  the  men  were  unsheltered,  uncovered, 
naked  and  wet — scarcely  a  groan,  no  word  of  complaint;  no  man  said 
be  was  not  well  treated. 


566  THK   RKI)    CROSS. 

The  operating  tables  were  full  of  the  wounded.  Man  after  man 
was  taken  off  and  brought  on  his  litter  and  laid  beside  other  men  and 
something  given  him  to  keep  the  little  life  in  his  body  that  seemed  fast 
oozing  out.  All  night  it  went  on.  It  grew  cold — for  naked  men,  bitter 
cold  before  morning.  We  had  no  blankets,  nothing  to  cover  them, 
only  as  we  tore  off  from  a  cut  of  cotton  cloth,  which  by  some  means 
had  gotten  on  with  us,  strips  six  or  seven  feet  long,  and  giving  them 
to  our  men,  asked  them  to  go  and  give  to  each  uncovered  man  a  piece 
that  should  shield  his  nakedness.  This  made  it  possible  for  him  to 
permit  us  to  pass  by  him  if  we  needed  to  go  in  that  direction. 

Early  in  the  morning  ambulances  started,  and  such  as  could  be 
loaded  in  were  taken  to  be  carried  back  over  that  rough,  pitiless  road 
down  to  Siboney  to  the  hospitals  there,  that  we  had  done  the  best  we 
fould  toward  fitting  up — where  our  hundred  cots  and  our  hundred  and 
fifty  blankets  had  gone,  and  our  cups  and  spoons  and  the  delicacies 
that  would  help  to  strengthen  these  poor  fainting  men  if  once  they 
could  get  there,  and  where  also  were  the  Sisters  under  Dr.  Lesser  and 
Dr.  Le  Garde  to  attend  them. 

They  brought  out  man  after  man,  stretcher  after  stretcher,  to  tlit 
waiting  ambulances,  and  they  took  out  seventeen  who  had  died  in  the 
night — unattended,  save  by  the  nurse — uncomplaining,  no  last  word, 
no  dying  message,  quiet  and  speechless  life  had  ceased  and  the  soul 
had  fled. 

By  this  time  Dr.  Hubbell  had  returned  for  he  had  missed  out 
wagons  the  day  before  and  gote  at  night  for  more  supplies.  This  time 
came  large  tarpaulins,  more  utensils,  more  food,  more  things  to  make 
it  a  little  comfortable — another  contribution  from  the  surf  of  Siboney. 
Wti  removed  our  first  kitchens  across  the  road,  up  alongside  the  head- 
quarter tent  of  Major  Wood  in  charge  of  the  camp.  The  major  is  a 
regular  army  officer,  brusque,  tliickset,  abrupt,  but  so  full  of  kind- 
hearted  generosity  that  words  cannot  do  justice  to  him.  He  strove  in 
eviry  way  to  do  all  that  could  be  done.  He  had  given  us  the  night 
before  a  little  officer's  tent  into  which  we  had  huddled  from  the  pouring 
rain  for  a  few  hours  in  the  middle  of  the  night.  The  next  day,  although 
no  tent  so  spacious  as  that  could  be  had,  a  little  baby  tent  it  seemed, 
of  about  seven  feet,  was  found,  pitched  alongside  of  the  other,  the  tar- 
paulins piit  over,  a  new  fireplace  made  near  us,  magnificent  in  its 
dimensions,  shelter  given  for  the  boxes,  bags  and  barrels  of  supplies 
that  by  this  time  had  accumulated  about  us.  There  was  even  some- 
thing that  looked  like  tables  on  which  Mrs.  Gardner  prepared  her 
delicacies. 


CUBA    AiND    nilC    CUliAJS    CAMi'AiGN.  567 

The  gruel  still  remained  the  staple,  but  malted  milk,  chocolate  and 
rice  had  come  in,  and  tea,  and  little  by  little  various  things  were  added 
by  which  our  menage  became  something  quite  resembling  a  hotel.  The 
wounded  were  still  being  taken  away  by  ambulance  and  wagon,  assorted 
and  picked  over  like  fruit  in  a  barrel.  Those  which  would  bear  trans- 
portation were  taken  away,  the  others  left  where  they  were.  The  num- 
bers grew  a  little  less  that  day. 

I  ought  not  neglect  mentioning  the  favorite  and  notable  drinks 
which  were  prepared,  for  it  will  seem  to  the  poor,  feverish  men  who  par- 
took of  them  that  they  ought  to  be  mentioned — they  will  never  forget 
them.  They  have  not  even  yet  ceased  to  tell  through  the  hospitals 
that  they  fall  into  later  of  the  drink  that  was  prepared  for  them  at  the 
Fifth  Corps  Hospital.  We  had  found  a  large  box  of  dried  apples,  and 
remembering  how  refreshing  it  would  be,  we  had  washed  a  quantity, 
put  it  in  a  large  kettle,  filled  it  with  water  and  let  it  soak.  It  hap- 
pened to  be  a  fine  tart  apple,  and  the  juice  was  nearly  as  good  as  wine. 
Perhaps  no  wine  had  ever  seemed  so  good  to  those  men  as  a  cup  of  that 
apple  water,  and  when  they  tasted  it  tears  again  ran  down  their  faces. 
To  their  poor,  dry,  feverish  mouths  it  was  something  so  refreshing  that 
it  seemed  heaven-sent.  The  next  day  a  box  of  prunes  was  discovered, 
and  the  same  thing  was  done  with  that;  a  richer,  darker  juice  was 
obtained,  and  this  also  took  its  place  among  the  drinks  prepared  at  the 
Fifth  Corps  Hospital.  The  apple  and  prune  juice  will  remain,  I  sus- 
pect, a  memorial  for  that  poor  neglected  spot. 

By  the  third  day  our  patients  seemed  strong  enough  that  we  might 
risk  food  as  solid  as  rice,  and  the  great  kettles  were  filled  with  that, 
cooked  soft,  mixed  with  condensed  and  malted  milk,  and  their  cups 
were  filled  with  this.  It  was  gratifying  to  hear  the  nurses  come  up 
and  say  :  "I  have  sixteen  men  in  my  ward.  So  many  of  them  would 
like  rice;  so  many  would  like  malted  milk;  so  many  would  like  gruel; 
so  many  would  like  chocolate,  and  a  few  would  like  a  cup  of  tea;  and 
another,  who  is  feverish,  would  like  only  some  apple  or  prune  juice," 
— and  taking  for  each  what  he  called  for,  go  back  to  his  patients  as 
if  he  had  given  his  order  to  the  waiter  at  a  hotel;  and  the  food  that  he 
took  was  as  well  cooked,  as  delicate  and  as  nice  as  he  could  have  got- 
ten there.  The  numbers  were  now  getting  considerably  less — perhaps 
not  over  three  hundred — and  better  care  could  be  taken  of  them. 

A  dispatch  on  Thursday  afternoon  informed  me  that  Mrs.  J. 
Addison  Porter  would  be  on  the  hospital  ship  "  Relief  "  coming  into 
Siboney  that  day.  I  would  of  course  go  to  meet  her.  It  was  a  great 
joy  to  know  that  she  would  return  to  us.     We  at  once  decided  that  an 


568  THE   Rr:D   CROSS. 

army  wagon  should  be  asked  for  from  headquarters  and  a  party  of  us 
go  to  Siboney,  both  for  Mrs.  Porter  and  more  supplies.  The  roads 
were  getting  even  worse — so  bad,  in  fact,  that  I  dared  not  risk  an 
ambulance,  an  array  wagon  being  the  only  vehicle  strong  enough  to 
travel  over  it. 

We  had  blankets  and  pillows  and  the  ride  was  fairly  comfortable; 
but  it  was  late,  nine  o'clock,  before  we  reached  Siboney.  The  "  State 
of  Texas, ' '  which  in  the  last  three  days  had  made  a  trip  to  Port  Antonio 
for  ice,  we  thought  must  be  back  by  that  time,  and  on  reaching  Siboney, 
found  that  she  had  arrived  that  evening  at  five  o'clock  and  was  lying 
at  her  old  anchorage.  But  there  was  no  way  of  communicating  with 
her  in  order  that  a  boat  might  be  sent  for  us.  Everything  was  tried. 
We  had  no  signals;  there  was  no  system  of  signaling  on  the  shore  by 
which  we  could  reach  her  or,  in  fact,  any  other  boat.  There  was  no 
way  but  to  remain  where  we  were  until  morning.  It  was  proposed 
that  I  go  to  the  rooms  assigned  for  the  hospital  assistants.  I  decidedly 
refused  this,  for  every  reason.  I  knew  the  buildings  were  not  to  be 
trusted,  and  persons  nursing  day  and  night  among  all  kinds  of 
patients  were  not  the  people  to  room  with.  I  asked  to  be  allowed  to 
remain  in  my  army  wagon.  This  was  not  thought  proper.  I  suggested 
that  it  might  be  drawn  out  anywhere,  the  mules  taken  oflf,  and  I  be 
left  with  the  blankets  and  pillows.  I  thought  it,  in  fact,  a  good  place 
for  any  one  to  sleep,  and  ventured  to  recommend  it  as  an  old-time 
method — a  refuge  which  once  would  have  been  palatial  for  me  on  the 
war-swept  fields  of  old  Virginia,  or  in  the  drifting  sands  of  Morris 
Island — what  would  that  have  been  the  night  after  Antietam  or  old 
Fredericksburg,  Chantilly  or  the  Wilderness?  But  the  newer  generation 
could  not  see  it  so;  a  building  must  be  had  somewhere,  and  as  I  refused 
the  hospital  appendage  in  toto,  it  was  proposed  that  I  enter  the  post- 
oflSce,  a  room  there  being  offered  to  me. 

The  postmaster  and  deputy  postmaster,  who  felt  themselves  under 
obligation  to  us,  came  out  to  our  men  and  insisted  that  I  occupy  a 
room  in  that  building.  Such  a  courtesy  could  not  be  gainsaid,  and 
against  all  feeling  of  acquiescence,  and  with  a  terrible  dread,  as  if  there 
were  something  so  wrong  about  it,  I  allowed  myself  to  be  helped  out 
of  the  wagon  and  entered  the  house.  The  postmaster  sat  down  and 
talked  with  me  a  little  while.  I  thought  he  seemed  ill.  It  appeared 
to  be  an  effort  for  him  to  talk.  I  had  never  met  him  before,  but  my 
heart  went  out  in  sympathy  for  him.  I  feared  I  was  taking  his  room, 
as  was  indeed  the  case,  although  he  did  not  admit  it.  I  was  shov»rn 
into  a  large  room  with  one  cot,  on^  table,  glje^rless,  bare,  with  ao 


CUBA    AND   THK    CUBAN    CAMPAIGN.  569 

outside  door,  and  a  candle  without  a  stick  burning  upon  the  table.  The 
men  went  outside  and  laid  down  upon  the  steps  for  the  night.  I  laid 
down  upon  the  stretcher.  It  was  impossible  for  me  to  remain  there. 
Something  constantly  warned  me  to  leave  it.  I  got  up,  went  to  the 
outside  door,  looked  out  upon  the  night  and  darkness  and  waited  for 
the  gray  of  the  morning.  I  went  out  and  stood  upon  the  beach  beside 
the  sea  and  waited  more  and  more,  until  finally  some  of  the  men 
appeared  and  I  went  with  them  down  to  the  water. 

I  might  as  well  say  here,  as  I  will  not  refer  to  it  again,  that  six 
days  after,  when  I  returned,  they  told  me  that  the  rightful  occupant  of 
the  cot — the  postmaster  who  had  seemed  so  ill — had  died  of  a  fever 
raging  here  that  they  called  "yellow  fever."  I  had  occupied  his  cot 
and  he  had  gone  to  heaven.  I  wondered  who  it  was  that  so  continually 
warned  me  that  night  to  keep  away  from  that  room,  away  from  the 
cot,  away  from  all  connected  with  it,  when  I  had  not  tlie  slightest  sus- 
picion of  anything  wrong.  "Yellow  fever"  was  then  not  talked  of. 
Did  some  one  tell  me  ?    I  do  not  know,  but  something  told  me. 

While  standing  at  the  dock,  Dr.  Smith,  of  the  "Olivette,"  who 
had  taken  a  ride  with  us  to  the  front  a  day  or  two  before,  approached, 
and  kindly  asked  if  he  could  place  his  boat  at  my  service,  and  if  I 
would  go  to  the  "Olivette"  with  him.  I  replied  that  I  would  go  to 
the  "  Relief,"  if  he  would  be  so  kind  as  to  take  me  there,  for  a  friend 
whom  I  had  on  board.  He  did  so,  and  as  we  drew  around  the  side  of 
the  elegant  white  and  green  striped  boat  in  full  navy  regulation,  the 
men  in  white  duck  appeared  on  the  decks  above  and  below,  a  half 
dozen  ladies'  faces  showing  among  them,  but  most  notably  the  good, 
substantial,  matronly  looking  lady  who  had  left  us  a  few  days  before — 
Mrs.  Porter.  It  occurred  to  me  that  she  had  possibly  come  by  invita- 
tion to  remain  on  the  "  Relief"  and  aid  in  the  charge  of  the  nurses, 
and  would  make  this  explanation  to  me,  but  was  agreeably  surprised 
when  I  saw  a  satchel  and  a  package  or  two  coming  down  the  steps 
immediately  followed  by  Mrs.  Porter  herself.  I  could  scarcely  believe 
that  she  was  leaving  that  elegant  boat  to  come  over  to  the  obscure 
"State  of  Texas."  But  so  it  was,  and,  taking  her  seat  in  the  boat,  we 
rowed  around  to  the  "Olivette,"  where  Dr.  Smith  left  us,  and  was 
replaced  bj'  a  major-surgeon,  who  would  escort  us  over  to  the 
"Texas,"  only  some  rods  distant.  I  did  not  at  once  recall  him,  but 
among  his  first  remarks  were,  "You  have  been  at  the  front  ?  "  "  Yes, 
Major."  "  I  should  think  you  would  find  it  very  unpleasant  there." 
"Such  scenes  are  not  supposed  to  be  pleasant."  "  What  do  you  go 
for  ?  "     J  scarcely  know  what  reply  was  made  to  this  abrupt  question. 


570  TJllv  RED  CROvSvS. 

but  the  significance  was  that  possibly  we  could  be  useful  there. 
"There  is  no  need  of  your  going  there — it  is  no  place  for  women.  I 
consider  women  very  much  out  of  place  in  a  field  hospital."  "  Then 
I  must  have  been  out  of  place  a  good  deal  of  my  lifetime,  Doctor,  for 
I  have  been  there  a  great  deal."  "  That  doesn't  change  my  opinion,, 
and  if  I  had  my  way,  I  would  send  you  home."  "  Fortunately  for 
me,  if  for  no  one  else.  Doctor,  you  have  not  your  way."  "  I  know  it, 
but  again  that  doesn't  change  my  opinion.  I  would  send  you  home." 
By  this  time  we  were  rowing  pretty  near  our  own  boat,  and  it  was 
admissible  for  me  to  maintain  the  silence  that  I  felt  dignity  called  for. 
I  made  no  other  remark  to  him  beyond  "Good  morning.  Major,"  as 
we  separated  for  our  respective  ships. 

This  is  a  foolish  little  episode  to  enter  in  one's  diary,  not  worth  the 
time  of  writing,  especially  in  days  like  these,  only  as  it  will  serve  as  a 
landmark,  a  kind  of  future  milestone  noting  the  progress  of  humane 
sentiment,  and  the  hopeful  advancement  of  the  civilization  and  enlight- 
enment of  the  world.  Only  a  few  years  ago  the  good  major  would 
have  actually  possessed  the  power  of  which  this  advancement  has 
relieved  him.  Finding  an  accumulation  of  work  at  our  ship,  large 
mails  from  the  North  having  arrived,  it  was  Monday  before  we  could 
return  to  the  front,  Mrs.  Porter  accompanying  us.  This  journey  was 
also  made  in  an  array  w^agon,  and  a  wretched,  miserable  wagon  it 
was.  We  found  the  camp  in  perfect  running  order.  Mrs.  Gardner  had 
stood  like  a  rock  through  it  all,  neglecting  nothing,  quiet,  calm,  peace- 
ful, faithful,  busy — how  well  she  had  done,  I  hav^e  no  words  to  express. 
Everybody  grateful  to  her,  everybody  loving  her. 

The  camp  had  now  from  one  hundred  to  two  hundred  men.  There 
began  to  be  strong  talk  of  yellow  fever,  not  only  at  Siboney  but  at  the 
front  as  well. 

The  negotiations  between  General  Shaffer  and  the  Spanish  army 
at  Santiago  were  still  going  on.  The  flag  of  truce  that  threatened  every 
day  to  come  down  still  floated.  The  Spanish  soldiers  had  been  led  by 
their  officers  to  believe  that  every  man  who  surrendered  (and  the  people 
as  well),  would  be  butchered  instantly  the  city  should  fall  and  the 
American  troops  should  come  in.  But  when  General  Shafter  com- 
menced to  send  back  convoys  of  captured  Spanish  officers,  their  wounds 
faithfully  dressed  and  carefully  placed  on  stretchers  and  borne  under 
flags  of  truce  to  the  Spanish  lines  at  Santiago  and  set  down  at  the  feet 
of  the  general  as  a  tender  gift  back  to  him,  and  when  in  astonishment 
he  learned  the  object  of  the  flag  of  truce  and  sent  companies  of  soldiers 
to  form  in  line  and  present  arms  while  the  cortege  of  wounded  were 


Till-:    PHYSICIANS    AND    NURSKS   OF   THE   ORPHANAGE   AND 
CLINIC    IN   IiAVANA. 


CUBA   AND  THE   CUBAN    CAMPAIGN.  573 

borne  through  by  American  troops,  a  lesson  was  learned  that  went  far 
toward  the  surrender  of  that  city. 

I  happened  to  know  that  it  was  not  without  some  very  natural 
home  criticism  that  General  Shafter  persisted  in  his  course  in  the  face 
of  the  time-honored  custom  of  "hostages."  One  can  readily  under- 
stand that  the  voluntary  giving  up  of  prisoners,  officers  at  that,  in  view 
of  an  impending  battle  might  seem  in  the  light  of  old-time  army  usages 
a  waste,  to  characterize  it  by  no  harder  term.  It  is  possible  that  none 
of  the  officers  on  that  field  had  ever  read  the  articles  of  the  Treaty  of 
Geneva  or  fully  realized  that  that  treaty  had  become  a  law  or  that  their 
commander,  possibly  without  fully  realizing  it  himself,  was  acting  in 
full  accord  with  its  wise  and  humane  principles. 

The  main  talk  of  the  camp  was  now  ' '  yellow  fever. ' '  On  Monday 
night  occurred  one  of  the  most  fearful  storms  which  I  have  ever  seen — 
rain,  thunder  and  lightning.  Our  tent  had  been  well  protected  and 
deeply  ditched,  but  the  water  rolled  around  it  in  the  ditches  like  rivers. 
The  thunder  shook  the  ground;  the  lightning  blazed  like  afire.  As  I 
have  said,  the  camp  was  as  level  as  a  floor.  No  water  could  really  run 
off.  During  the  most  of  that  night  the  men  in  the  tents  laid  in  five  to 
six  inches  of  water.  Before  daybreak  the  rain  had  ceased,  some  water 
had  run  away — some  soaked  in — and  the  ground  was  passable.  The 
next  day  followed  another  rain.  It  was  now  discovered  by  the  medical 
authorities  that  from  there  having  been  at  first  one  case  of  fever,  there 
were  now  one  hundred  and  sixteen;  that  a  fever  camp  would  probably 
be  made  there  and  the  wounded  gotten  away.  It  was  advisable  then 
that  we  return  to  our  ship  and  attempt,  as  far  as  possible,  to  hold  that 
free  from  contagion.  I  was  earnestly  solicited  to  do  this  in  view  of 
what  was  expected  of  our  ship  and  of  what  was  expected  of  us — that 
we  not  only  protect  ourselves,  but  our  cargo  and  ship  from  all  contami- 
nation and  even  suspicion.  I  faithfully  promised  this,  and  again  we 
called  for  an  army  wagon,  leaving  all  supplies  that  were  useful  for  the 
men  here,  sending  to  Caney  what  was  most  needed  there  and  taking 
only  our  personal  effects,  we  again  placed  ourselves  in  an  army  wagon 
with  a  tarpaulan  over  us  and  started  for  Siboney.  In  less  than  twenty 
minutes  the  rain  was  pouring  on  us  and  for  two  hours  it  fell  as  from 
buckets.  The  water  was  from  a  foot  and  a  half  to  two  feet  deep  in  the 
road  as  we  passed  along.  At  one  time  our  wagon  careened,  the  mules 
were  held  up,  and  we  waited  to  see  whether  it  should  go  over  or  could 
be  brought  out — the  water  a  few  inches  only  from  the  top  of  the  lower 
side.  It  was  scarcely  possible  for  us  to  stir,  hemmed  in  as  we  were, 
but  the  men  from  the  other  wagons  sprang  to  our  wheels,  hanging  in 


574  'i'HE  RED  CROSS. 

the  air  on  the  upper  side,  and  we  were  simply  saved  by  an  inch.  The 
mud  and  water  was  at  least  two  and  one-half  feet  deep  where  we  should 
have  gone  down. 

But  like  other  things,  this  cleared  away.  We  came  into  Siboney 
aliout  three  o'clock,  in  a  bright  glare  of  sunshine,  to  find  the  town 
utterly  burned,  all  buildings  gone  or  smoking,  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Lesser 
and  the  faithful  Sisters  as  well,  in  a  "  yellow  fever  "  hospital  a  mile  and 
a  half  out  of  the  city,  reached  by  rail.  All  cu.stomary  work  was  sus- 
pended. The  atmosphere  was  thick  and  blue  with  smoke.  Men  ran 
about  the  grounds  smutted  and  bareheaded  like  children.  My  medical 
knowledge  was  not  sufficient  to  allow  me  to  judge  if  everybody  there 
had  the  yellow  fever,  but  general  observation  would  go  far  toward  con- 
vincing a  very  ordinary  mind  that  everybody  had  gone  crazy. 

All  effort  was  made  to  hold  our  ship  free  from  suspicion.  The 
process  of  reasoning  leading  to  theconclusion  that  a  solid  cargo,  packed 
in  tight  boxes  in  the  hold  of  a  ship,  anchored  at  sea,  could  become 
infected  in  a  day  from  the  land  or  a  passing  individual,  is  indeed,  an 
intricate  process;  but  we  had  some  experience  in  this  direction,  as,  for 
instance.  Captain  McCalla  in  his  repeated  humane  attempts  to  feed  the 
refugees  around  Guantanamo  had  called  again  for  a  hundred  thousand 
rations,  saying  that  if  we  could  bring  them  to  him  soon,  he  could  get 
them  to  the  thousands  starving  in  the  woods.  We  lost  no  time,  but 
got  the  food  out  and  started  with  it  in  the  night.  On  reaching  Guan- 
tanamo we  were  met  at  a  distance  out  and  called  to,  asking  if  anyone 
on  our  ship  had  been  on  shore  at  Siboney  within  four  days,  if  so,  our 
supplies  could  not  be  received,  and  we  took  them  away,  leaving  the 
starving  to  perish. 

On  Friday  morning  the  constantly  recurring  news  of  the  surrender 
of  Santigo  was  so  well  established  that  we  drew  anchor  and  came  up  to 
the  flagship  and  the  following  letter  was  addressed  to  Admiral 
Sampson: 


"State  of  Texas,"  July  i6,  j8g8. 
Admiral  Sampson, 

Cotnmanding  United  States  Fleet  off  Santiago,  Flagship  '■'■  New   York": 
Admiral: — It  is   not  necessary  for  me  to  explain  to  you  my  errand,  nor  its 
necessity;  both  your  good  head  and  heart  divine  it  more  clearly  than  any  words  of 
mine  can  represent. 

I  send  this  to  you  by  one  of  our  men,  who  can  tell  you  all  you  will  wish  to  know. 
Mr.  Ehvell  has  resided  and  done  mercantile  and  shipping  business  in  Santiago  for 
the  last  seven  years;  is  favorably  known  to  all  its  people;  has  in  his  possession  the 


CUBA   AND   THE   CUBAN   CAMPAIGN.  575 

keys  to  the  best  warehouses  and  resicleiices  in  the  city,  to  which  he  is  bidden  wel- 
come by  the  owners.  He  is  the  person  ajipointed  four  months  ago  to  help  distrib- 
ute this  food,  and  did  so  with  me  until  the  blockade.  There  seems  to  be  nothing 
in  the  way  of  our  getting  this  1400  tons  of  food  into  a  Santiago  warehouse  and 
giving  it  intelligently  to  the  thousands  who  need  and  own  it.  I  have  twenty  good 
helpers  with  me.  The  New  York  Conunitteu  is  clamoring  for  the  discharge  of  the 
"State  of  Texas,"  which  has  been  raised  in  price  to  f  400  a  day. 

If  therp  is  still  more  explanation  needed,  I  pray  you,  Admiral,  kt  me  see  )ou. 

Respectfully  and  cordially, 

(Signed)        Clara  Barton. 


This  was  immediately  responded  to  by  Captain  Chadwick,  who 
came  on  board,  assuring  me  that  our  place  was  at  Santiago — as  quickly 
as  we  could  be  gotten  there. 

On  Saturda)^  the  sixteenth,  feeling  that  it  might  still  be  possible 
to  take  the  supplies  to  Guantanamo,  requested  by  Captain  McCalla,  a 
letter  was  addressed  as  follows: 


Steamship  "  Statk  of  Texas," /«/v  /<5,  iRgS. 

Captain  Chadwick,  Flagship  "  A^ezv   Vork'''  off  Santiago: 

Captain: — If  there  is  a  possibility  of  going  into  Santiago  before  to-morrow 
morning,  please  let  me  know,  and  we  will  hold  just  where  we  are  and  wail. 

If  there  is  no  possibility  of  this,  we  could  run  down  to  Guantanamo  and  land 
Captain  McCalla's  100,000  rations  in  the  evening  and  be  back  here  to-morrow 
morning. 

Will  you  please  direct  me. 

Yours  faithfully, 

Clara  Barton. 


Reply  to  the  above: 


U.  S.  Flagship  "  New  York,"  i.st  Rate, 

Off  Santiago  de  CunA,  July  77,  iSgS. 

Dear  Miss  Barton: — We  are  now  engaged  in  taking  up  mines,  just  so  soon 
as  it  is  safe  to  go  in  your  ship  will  go.  If  you  wish,  you  can  anchor  in  near  us, 
and  send  anything  up  by  boats,  or,  if  we  could  get  lighters,  drawing  less  than 
eight  feet,  food  may  be  sent  by  the  ligliters,  but  it  is  not  yet  possible  for  the  ship 
to  go  in.  There  are  four  "  contact  "  mines,  and  four  what  are  known  as  "  obser- 
vation "  mines,  still  down. 

Yours  very  truly, 

(Signed)         F.  E.  Chadwick 


576  TIIK   RED   CROSS. 

It  was  after  this  that  we  turned  back  again  and  steamed  to 
Ciuantananio  to  unload  our  supplies  at  night  and  return  the  next 
morning. 

These  were  anxious  days.  While  the  world  outside  was  making 
up  war  history,  we  thought  of  little  beyond  the  terrible  needs  about 
us — if  Santiago  had  any  people  left,  they  must  be  in  sore  distress,  and 
El  Caney — terrible  lU  Caney — with  its  thirty  thousand  homeless, 
perishing  sufferers,  how  could  they  be  reached? 

The  diary  at  this  point  says:  On  returning  from  our  fruitless 
journey  to  Guantanamo  we  stopped  at  Siboney  only  long  enough  to 
get  our  dispatches,  then  ran  down  directly  in  front  -of  Santiago  and 
lay  with  the  fleet.  A  personal  call  from  Admiral  Schley,  Captain 
Cook  and  other  of^cers  served  to  show  the  interest  and  good  will  of 
those  about  us.  Between  three  and  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  a 
small  Spanish  steamer — which  had  been  among  the  captures  of  San- 
tiago— ran  alongside  and  informed  us  that  an  oflEicer  wished  to  come 
aboard.  It  proved  to  be  Lieutenant  Capehart,  of  the  flagship,  who 
brought  word  from  Admiral  Sampson  that  if  we  would  come  alongside 
the  "  New  York,"  he  would  put  a  pilot  on  board.  This  was  done  and 
we  moved  on  through  waters  we  had  never  traversed — past  Morro 
Castle,  long,  low,  silent  and  grim — past  the  Spanish  wrecks  on  the 
right — past  the  "  Merrimac"  in  the  channel,  which  Hobson  had  left. 
We  began  to  realize  that  we  were  alone,  of  all  the  ships  about  the 
harbor  there  were  none  with  us.  The  stillness  of  the  Sabbath  was 
over  all.  The  gulls  sailed  and  flapped  and  dipped  about  us.  The 
lowering  summer  sun  shot  long  golden  rays  athwart  the  green  hills  on 
either  side,  and  tinged  the  waters  calm  and  still.  The  silence  grew 
oppressive  as  we  glided  along  with  scarce  a  ripple.  We  saw  on  the 
right  as  the  only  moving  thing  a  long  slim  boat  or  yacht  dart  out  from 
among  the  bushes  and  steal  its  way  up  half  hidden  in  the  shadows. 
Suddenly  it  was  overtaken  by  either  message  or  messenger,  and  like  a 
collared  hound  glided  back  as  if  it  had  never  been.  Leaning  on  the 
rail  half  lost  in  reverie  over  the  strange  quiet  beauty  of  the  scene,  the 
thought  suddenly  burst  upon  me:  Are  we  really  going  into  Santiago — 
and  alone  ?  Are  we  not  to  be  run  out  and  wait  aside  and  salute  with  dip- 
ping colors  while  the  great  battleships  come  up  with  music  and  banners 
and  lead  the  way  ?  As  far  as  the  eye  could  reach  no  ship  was  in  sight. 
Was  this  to  remain  so  ?  Could  it  be  possible  that  the  commander  who  had 
captured  a  city  declined  to  be  the  first  to  enter — that  he  would  hold 
back  his  flagship  and  himself  and  send  forward  and  first  a  cargo  of  food 
on  a  plain  ship,   under  direction  of  a  woman  ?     Did  our  commands, 


CUBA   AND   THE   CUBAN   CAMPAIGN.  577 

military  or  naval,  hold  men  great  enough  of  soul  for  such  action  ?  It 
must  be  true — for  the  spires  of  Santiago  rise  before  us,  and  turning  to 
the  score  of  companions  beside  me  I  asked,  "  Is  there  any  one  here  who 
will  lead  the  doxology  ?"  In  an  instant  the  full  rich  voice  of  Enola 
Gardner  rang  out:  "  Praise  God,  from  whom  all  blessings  flow."  By 
that  time  the  chorus  was  full,  and  the  tears  on  many  a  face  told  more 
plainly  than  words  how  genuine  was  that  praise,  and  when  in  response 
to  a  second  suggestion  "  My  Country,  'Tis  of  Thee  "  swelled  out  on 
the  evening  air  in  the  farewell  rays  of  the  setting  sun,  the  "State  of 
Texas"  was  nearing  the  dock,  and  quietly  dropping  her  anchors  she 
lay  there  in  undisputed  possession  of  the  city  of  Santiago. 

It  has  been  remarked  that  Mr.  Elwell  had  been  a  resident  of 
Santiago  and  connected  with  its  shipping  for  several  years.  It  was 
only  the  work  of  an  hour  after  landing  to  find  his  old-time  help.  A 
hundred  and  twenty -five  stevedores  were  engaged  to  be  on  the  dock  at 
six  o'clock  next  morning,  to  work  for  pay  in  rations. 

The  dock  had  its  track  and  trucks  running  to  its  open  warehouses. 
As  we  had  entered  we  saw  it  bare  of  every  movable  or  living  thing. 
Want  had  swept  it  of  all  that  could  be  carried  away,  and  the  remaining 
people  dared  not  approach  us.  Six  o'clock  next  morning  changed  the 
scene.  The  silence  was  no  longer  oppressive.  The  boxes,  barrels  and 
bales  pitched  out  of  that  ship,  thrown  onto  the  trucks  and  wheeled 
away  told  the  story  of  better  daj'S  to  come;  and  it  was  something  to 
see  that  lank,  brawny  little  army  of  stevedores  take  their  first  breakfast 
in  line  along.side  of  the  ship. 

The  city  was  literally  without  food.  In  order  to  clear  it  for 
defence,  its  inhabitants  had  been  ordered  out,  ten  days  before,  to 
El  Caney,  a  small  town  of  some  five  hundred  people,  where  it  was  said 
thirty  thousand  persons  were  gathered,  without  food,  shelter,  or  place 
of  rest.  Among  these  were  the  old-time  residents — the  wealthy  and 
the  best  people  of  Santiago.  Its  British  consul,  Mr.  Ramsden,  and 
his  family  were  of  them,  and  the  care  and  hardship  of  that  terrible  camp 
cost  his  life.  A  message  from  the  headquarters  of  General  Shafter, 
telegraphed  to  us  even  after  leaving  Siboney,  said: 

"  The  death  rate  at  El  Caney  is  terrible.     Can  you  send  food  ?  " 

Word  went  back  to  send  the  thirty  thousand  refugees  of  El  Caney 
at  once  back  to  Santiago; — we  were  there  and  could  feed  them — that 
the  "State  of  Texas  "  had  still  on  board  twelve  hundred  tons  of  sup- 
plies for  the  reconcentrados.  That  day  poured  in  upon  us  all  that  had 
strength  to  make  the  journey,  of  the  thirty  thousand  starving  wrecks 
of  El  Caney.     If  there  were  any  at  night  who  had  not  received  food, 


578  THR   RKD   CROS... 

no  one  knew  it.  The  fires  were  rekindled  in  the  great  steam  sou^. 
kitchens  of  Mr.  H.  Michaelsen — that  name  should  be  carved  in  marble 
and  lettered  in  gold  in  Santiago — that  had  run  uninterrupted  for  nearly 
two  years,  until  within  a  few  weeks  of  the  surrender,  when  there  was 
no  more  food  for  its  kettles.  Ten  thousand  persons  had  hot  soup  there 
the  first  day,  and  it  was  estimated  that  ten  thousand  more  had  dry  food 
of  crackers,  meat  and  meal.  To  the  sick  were  distributed  condensed 
and  malted  milk  as  fast  as  it  could  be  gotten  to  them. 

Of  the  districting  of  the  city,  the  formation  of  committees  for  the 
distribution  of  food,  the  care,  the  justice,  and  the  success  with  which 
it  was  done,  I  leave  to  the  reports  cf  my  experienced  staff  officers  and 
assistants  and  to  the  committee  of  Santiago,  which  nobly  volunteered 
its  aid.  These  persons  performed  this  work — they  were  a  part  of  it — 
and  no  one  can  describe  it  so  well  as  they,  I  refer  the  reader  to  the 
reports  of  Dr.  Hubbell,  Dr,  Egan,  Mr,  Cottrell,  Miss  Fowler,  now  the 
wife  of  Baron  Van  Schelle  of  Belgium,  and  the  committee  of  Santiago 
composed  of  H.  Michaelsen,  vice-consul  for  Germany,  Robert  Mason, 
Chinese  consul  and  vice-consul  for  England,  and  Wm,  Ramsden,  son  of 
the  late  Frederick  Ramsden,  British  consul.  With  these  latter  gentle- 
men, together  with  twenty  of  the  leading  ladies  of  Santiago,  was  left, 
one  month  later,  the  supplies  remaining  in  our  warehouses,  and  the 
oversight  of  the  poor  of  the  city,  over  whom  their  care  had  extended 
so  tenderly  and  so  wisely  in  the  past,  and  on  whom  as  helping  them  back 
into  citizenship  it  must  largely  devolve  in  the  future. 

Returning  to  our  first  day  in  Santiago,  it  is  remembered  that  this 
narration  has  thus  far  left  the  navy,  its  flagship  and  commander  at  the 
entrance  of  the  harbor  in  obscurity.  It  would  seem  but  just  that  it 
reproduce  them. 

Until  ten  o'clock  on  Monday  the  eighteenth  we  saw  no  sign  of  life 
on  the  waters  of  the  bay — neither  sail,  steam  nor  boat — but  suddenly 
word  passed  down  from  the  watch  on  deck  that  a  ship  was  sighted. 
Slowly  it  came  in  view — large,  fine,  full  masted — and  orders  went  to 
salute  when  it  should  pass.  At  length  here  was  something  to  which  we 
could  pay  deference.  The  whistles  were  held,  the  flag  was  ready  for 
action,  ropes  straight  and  without  a  tangle — all  stood  breathless — but 
she  does  not  pass,  and  seems  to  be  standing  in.  In  a  minute  more  a 
stout  sailor  voice  calls  out:  "Throw  us  a  rope,"  and  here,  without 
salute,  whistle  or  bell,  came  and  fastened  to  the  stem  of  our  boat 
this  glittering  and  masted  steamship  from  whose  decks  below  Admirals 
Sampson  and  Schley  and  their  respective  staffs  shouted  up  their 
familiar  greetings  to  us. 


CUBA  AND  THE  CUBAN  CAMPAIGN.  579 

The  view  from  their  ship  enfiladed,  to  speak  in  military  parlance, 
our  entire  dock.  There  was  every  opportunity  to  see  how  our  work 
was  done  and  if  we  were  equal  to  unloading  our  ship.  The  day  was 
spent  with  us  till  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon;  and  when  about  to 
leave  and  the  admiral  was  asked  what  orders  or  directions  he  had  for 
us,  the  reply  was,  "  You  need  no  directions  from  me,  but  if  anyone 
troubles  you,  let  me  know." 

Many  months  have  passed  since  that  day,  and  I  write  this  without 
ever  having  seen  again  the  face  of  the  commander  who  had  been  so 
courteous  and  kind,  and  so  heli)ful  in  the  work  I  went  to  do. 

Under  date  of  July  23  is  found  the  following  entry  in  the  diary 
which  sums  up  the  entire  matter  of  facts,  dates  and  figures  in  few 
words: 

"The  discharge  of  the  cargo  of  the  ' State  of  Texas '  of  ovei 
twelve  hundred  tons,  commenced  at  six  o'clock  Monday,  July  18.  One 
hundred  and  twenty-five  stevedores  were  employed  and  paid  in  food 
issued  as  rations. 

"On  Thursday,  the  twenty-first,  at  six  o'clock  p.  m.  the  discharge 
was  completed,  and  the  following  morning,  Friday,  July  22,  the  ship 
left  for  New  York. 

"  During  that  time  the  people  had  returned  to  Santiago,  numbering 
thirty  thousand,  and  all  were  fed — ten  thousand  a  day  from  the  soup 
kitchen  of  Mr.  Michaelsen,  the  others  with  bread,  meat  and  milk. 

"The  present  general  committee  was  formed,  the  city  districted 
into  sections,  with  a  commissioner  for  each  district,  selected  by  the  peo- 
ple themselves  living  there. 

"  Every  family  or  person  residing  in  the  city  is  supplied  bj'-  the  com- 
missioner of  that  district.  All  transient  persons  are  fed  at  the  kitchen, 
the  food  being  provided  by  the  Red  Cross. 

"  Although  the  army' has  entered  the  city  during  the  latter  part  of 
that  time,  there  has  been  no  confusion,  no  groups  of  disorderly  persons 
seen,  no  hunger  in  the  city  more  than  in  ordinary  times.  We  wait  the 
repairs  of  the  railroads  to  enable  us  to  get  food  and  clothing  to  the 
villages  enclosed  within  the  lines  of  the  surrender." 

We  had  done  all  that  could  be  done  to  advantage  at  that  time  in 
Santiago.  The  United  States  troops  had  mainly  left;  the  Spanish 
soldiers  were  coming  in  to  their  waiting  ships,  bringing  with  them 
all  the  diseases  that  unprovided  and  uncleanly  camps  would  be  expected 
to  hold  in  store.  Five  weeks  before  we  had  brought  into  Santiago 
all  the  cargo  of  fourteen  hundred  tons  of  the  ' '  State  of  Texas, ' ' 
excepting  the  light  hospital  supplies  which  had  been  used  the  month 


58o  THR    RED    CROSS. 

previous  among  our  own  troops  at  Siboney,  General  Shafter's  front 
and  El  Caney  during  the  days  of  fighting.  To  any  one  accustomed 
to  apportioning  food,  it  would  be  at  once  apparent  that  these  twelve 
hundred  tons  of  heavy  supplies,  of  meal,  meat,  beans  and  flour,  etc., 
were  too  much  for  distribution  at  one  time  for  a  little  town  of  thirty 
thousand,  which  naturally  partly  fed  itself.      But  it  must  all  be  stored. 

The  "  State  of  Texas  "  discharged  her  cargo  and  left  for  New  York 
on  the  fifth  day,  leaving  us  without  a  particle  of  transportation,  and  in 
the  pressure  and  confusion  none  could  be  obtained.  Let  those  who 
tried  it  testify.  The  two  railroads  leading  out  of  the  town  were 
destroyed.  The  ports  were  not  open,  and  the  country  portions  of  the 
province  reached  only  by  pack  mules.  Later,  forty  large,  fine  healthy 
mules  were  shipped  to  us,  but  the  half  score  of  fully  equipped  ambu- 
lances, harnesses  and  between  four  hundred  and  five  hundred  bushels 
of  oats  were  on  the  transports  which  brought  them,  could  not  be  light- 
ered off,  and  up  to  the  time  of  our  departure  were  never  seen. 

The  schooner  "  Morse,"  which,  following  the  behest  of  an  angelic 
thought  of  some  lovely  committee  of  home  ladies,  had  come  in  laden 
with  a  thousand  tons  of  ice.  The  tug  "  Triton,"  which  towed  her  all 
the  way  from  Kennebec,  and  was  to  have  been  held  for  our  use,  was  at 
once  seized  by  the  government.  Santiago  had  neither  an  ice  house  nor 
a  pile  of  dry  sawdust,  and  the  ice  remained  on  the  "  Morse  "  till  dis- 
charged order  by  order  among  the  transports  of  sick,  wounded  and 
convalescing  as  they  sailed  one  after  another  with  their  freight  of 
human  w^oe.  Slowly,  painfully  waiting,  but  gladly,  piece  by  piece,  the 
ice  went  out,  filling  to  repletion  the  box  of  every  transport  sailing 
north,  and  something  glistened  on  the  weather-beaten  bronzed  cheek 
of  more  than  one  of  those  long-serving,  faithful,  north  Atlantic 
captains,  as  he  tried  to  say  what  it  would  be  to  the  poor  fever-burnt 
sufferers  he  must  take. 

Visio7is,  of  the  schooner  "  Morse  "  when  she  should  be  unloaded 
constituted  our  only  transportation  up  to  the  day  we  left  Santiago.  I 
cannot  say  that  other  visions  did  not  obtrude  at  times.  In  our 
perplexity,  memory  pictured,  as  in  another  life,  the  hundreds  of  strong- 
built,  luxuriantly-furnished,  swift-running  steam  tugs,  yachts  and 
house  boats  of  the  restful  "Thousand  Islands,"  and  the  health  and 
pleasure-giving  resorts  of  the  lovely  Jersey  coast;  but  they  were  only 
visions,  quickly  put  aside  for  the  stern  realities  of  the  inevitable 
surroundings.  The  "Morse"  did  well  its  blessed  work,  but  never 
came  to  us. 


CUBA   AND   THE   CUBAN    CAMPAIGN.  583 

Neither  for  love  nor  money  could  transportation  be  gotten.  I  did, 
however,  near  the  last,  obtain  the  use  of  a  leaky  lighter  for  two  hours 
to  get  off  some  mules,  but  I  might  specify  that  it  was  on  neither  of  the 
above  considerations. 

Some  reporter  is  responsible  for  the  statement  that  a  large  chip 
seen  floating  near  the  dock  that  morning  had  been  seized.  While  it 
might  not  be  possible  to  verify  this  statement  by  actual  facts,  it  was  noc 
so  very  far  out  of  the  way  in  theory. 

These  were  the  last  days  of  General  Shafter  in  Santiago,  who  was, 
as  he  had  at  all  times  been,  the  kind  and  courteous  officer  and  gentle- 
man. 

General  Wood,  alert,  wise  and  untiring,  with  an  eye  single  to  the 
general  good  of  all,  toiled  day  and  night. 

The  government  warehouses  were  so  filled  with  supplies  that  there 
seemed  no  room  for  more.  The  harbor  filling  with  merchant  ships  for 
the  trade,  would  soon  come  to  regard  with  a  jealous  eye  any  body  of 
persons  who  dispensed  anything  without  price  to  even  the  poorest  and 
most  destitute. 

But  all  this  did  not  stay  the  marching  stride  of  the  native  fever,  so 
persistent  in  its  grasp  as  scarcely  to  merit  the  appellation  of  intermit- 
tent. Day  by  day  I  watched  my  little  band  ever  growing  less;  out 
of  twenty  which  the  good  "State  of  Texas"  brought,  seven  were  on 
their  feet;  twelve  had  sickened,  been  nursed  and  gotten  off  home,  and 
one  had  gone  to  heaven.  Of  our  own  band  of  the  national  Red  Cross 
workers,  none  had  actually  gone  down;  of  those  who  had  joined  us  as 
assistants,  few  remained. 

At  this  juncture  news  came  that  Havana  was  open.  In  all  the 
country  I  knew  but  one  person  who  had  the  power  to  order  one  of  those 
waiting  transports  to  take  myself,  staff  and  some  supplies  to  Havana, 
and  my  dispatch  went  to  President  McKinley,  with  the  suggestion 
kindly  and  thoughtfully  made  by  Major  Osgood  who  had  just  come  in 
on  the  "Clinton,"  that  in  order  to  economize  time  and  labor,  possibly 
the  President  might  furnish  a  ship  already  loaded  with  government 
supplies,  and  let  us  repay  from  our  supplies  on  shore.  This  dispatch 
brought  the  following  i)rompt  reply  from  the  Secretary  of  War.  It 
was  a  glad  reminder  of  the  kindly  courtesy  and  friendship  of  many 
years.  I  give  the  text  of  both  the  dispatch  of  the  Secretary  and 
my  reply,  in  order  to  set  right  a  misunderstanding  on  the  part  of 
the  public,  which  I  have  observed  with  pain: 


584  TIIK  RIvI)  CROSS. 

Washington,  August  /S,  i8g8. 
Miss  Clara  Rarton,  Santiago  de  Cuba  : 

"  Clinton  "  cannot  be  used  until  unloaded.  Stores  aboard  were  sent  on  special 
request  and  are  necessary  for  the  comfort  of  officers  and  men  at  Santiago.  The 
government  will  send  as  soon  as  ship  can  be  loaded  at  Port  Tampa  two  thousand 
tons  of  supplies  for  relief  of  destitute.  This  accomplishes  same  result  and  in 
shorter  time.  Will  not  this  meet  your  wishes  even  better  than  recommended  in 
your  cablegram  yesterday  ?  Would  it  be  asking  too  much  for  you  to  go  to  Havana 
to  superintend  the  distribution  of  these  stores  under  the  law  ?  Only  the  destitute 
and  those  in  immediate  danger  of  perishing  can  receive  these  supplies. 

R.  A.  Alger,  Secretary  of  War. 

Santiago  de  Cuba,  August  18,  i8g8. 
PiERSON,  IVar  Department,  Washitigton  : 

Tell  Secretary  Alger  I  appreciate  to  the  greatest  possible  extent  his  responsive 
aud  practical  sympathy.  His  suggestions  are  better  than  I  had  asked,  and  are 
promptly  accepted.  If  the  "  Clinton  "  is  unloaded  in  time,  I  will  leave  here  Sat- 
urday morning.  Will  take  forty  mules  from  here.  Need  ten  additional  wagons 
and  harness  for  all  my  mules.     Please  give  tue  some  horsefeed  from  here. 

Clara  Barton. 

The  reloading  was  quickly  accomplished,  the  direction  of  our 
remaining  affairs  placed  in  proper  hands,  and  on  the  twenty-first  of 
August,  just  five  weeks  to  an  hour  since  entering  the  harbor,  we 
retraced  the  waters  we  had  sailed  over  coming  from  Siboney  to  Santiago. 
The  same  golden  sunshine  rested  on  the  hills  and  tinged  the  still  waters 
of  the  bay,  but  we  were  no  longer  the  only  ship.  The  transports  to 
take  our  soldiers  home  la)^  there;  the  great  Spanish  liners  to  take  the 
Spanish  soldiers  to  Spain;  the  hospital  ships  with  their  fevered  weight 
of  glad  woe  ' '  going  home, ' '  dotted  the  sea  and  skirted  the  shore. 

All  who  understood  our  movement  saluted,  and  with  tearful  glances 
back  to  the  little  spot  of  earth  which  had  given  so  much  pain,  made  so 
many  homes  in  both  lands  desolate,  we  ordered  on  full  steam  and  glided 
away.  Five  days  of  continuous  sunshine  and  scarcely  wind  to  fill  a  sail 
brought  us  to  Havana.  I  had  cabled  the  Spanish  authorities  on  our 
departure  from  Santiago  and  notified  them  of  our  arrival,  and  was 
courteously  referred  to  the  Civil  Governor  of  Havana,  on  whom  I 
called  and  received  in  return  a  most  cordial  visit,  with  the  added 
respect  of  bringing  his  entire  staff  with  him. 

No  supplies  from  Port  Tampa  having  arrived  we  spent  the  second 
day  in  Matanzas,  receiving  from  the  good  Governor  and  his  amiable 
household  such  a  welcome  as  one  might  expect  from  those  they  had 
known  longest  and  loved  most.  We  then  hoped  to  go  there  at  once 
and  leave  the  supplies  they  so  badly  needed. 

Next  day  there  came  into  harbor  the  steamship  "  Comal,"  from 


CUBA   AND   THE   CUBAN   CAMP.AIGN.  58.S 

Port  Tampa,  ladeu  with  sixteen  hundred  tons  of  government  supplies 
for  distribution.  We  exchanged  visits  with  her  gentlemanly  and  sen- 
sible officers,  who  had  governmental  instructions  to  take  their  cargo  to 
Havana  and  distribute  it,  but  no  instructions  to  act  in  conjunction  with 
us  or  with  any  one;  and  we,  on  the  other  hand,  received  no  intimation 
that  her  supplies  were  in  any  way  intended  for  our  use. 

Both  ships  alike  met  the  restriction  of  the  customs  duties,  and 
while  I  felt  that  it  might  be  well  for  a  governmental  cargo  to  test  its 
position  with  the  law  of  nations,  under  the  circumstances,  it  was  by  no 
means  the  course  for  the  Red  Cross  to  take — an  organization  which 
never  leads,  but  follows,  in  all  military  matters. 

No  commissioners  had  arrived,  and  feeling  that  we  might  become 
a  source  of  irritation  to  them  by  remaining,  and  being  unable  to  dis- 
tribute our  supplies,  we  decided  to  withdraw.  Our  captain,  having 
been  trained  in  the  merchant  service  and  being  unaccustomed  to  militar>' 
shipping,  had  neglected  some  little  formality  on  leaving  Santiago,  which 
admitted,  or  perhaps  called  for,  a  fine  of  five  hundred  dollars.  This  we 
promptly  paid,  and  with  the  best  understanding  with  all  parties,  Span- 
ish, Cuban  and  our  own,  no  coercion  on  the  part  of  any  one,  impelled  by 
nothing  but  our  own  sense  of  the  situation,  we  decided  our  course.  In 
fact,  strenuous  efforts  were  made  by  the  Spanish  ofiicials,  notably  the 
Secretary  of  State,  to  open  the  way  for  us;  and  while  they  could  not 
override  the  law  and  positively  remit  a  duty,  they  offered  in  this  case 
to  pay  the  duty  themselves,  and  take  part  in  the  distribution.  We 
appreciated  the  courtesy,  but  still  felt  that  we  might  in  some  way 
become  a  hindrance  to  the  pending  negotiations  by  remaining,  and  after 
careful  consideration,  decided  to  draw  anchor  and  steam  for  Port  Tampa, 
leaving  the  "  Comal "  with  its  full  cargo  and  efficient  officers  to  meet  tae 
situation  in  the  good  governmental  way,  we  were  sure  they  would  do. 

This  explanation  is  given  to  set  right  the  general  impression  that 
the  "  Comal "  was  a  Red  Cross  ship.  There  was  no  connection  what- 
ever between  the  "Comal"  and  ourselves,  excepting  through  good 
will  and  good  fellowship;  and  again  the  impression  that  we  were  mis- 
treated by  the  Spanish  government  at  Havana,  subjected  to  discourtesy 
or  requested  to  leave  is  a  mistaken  one.  The  facts  are  quite  the  con^ 
trary.  We  entered  under  the  supposition  that  Havana  was  open,  as 
Santiago  was  open;  but  it  was  not  an  open  port.  We  were  in  Spanish 
waters,  subject  to  Spanish  laws  and  customs,  and  so  regarded  them,  h.z 
we  should  have  expected  to  do  in  any  country,  remembering  exper: 
mentally  that  our  own  country  is  not  too  much  inclined  to  easily 
remit  its  custom  duties. 


586  A'HE  RED  CROSS. 

Dividing  the  time  of  our  Cuban  campaign  into  sections,  the  incom- 
ing clays  fall  exclusively  to  Santiago.  Days  of  an  army  in  one  sense 
inactive,  in  another  rushed  and  crowded  beyond  its  powers  to  meet  or 
control.  Days  when  everything  is  needed  and  nothing  can  be  gotten 
at.  No  one  knows  where  anything  is — must  have  a  formal  order  to 
obtain  it  when  it  is  found,  and  cannot  get  the  order.  Officers  clamor 
for  their  needy  men,  the  sick  list  increases,  complaints  are  rife,  patience 
gives  place  to  desperation,  and  a  time  of  general  confusion  follows. 

Again  I  would  say  that  to  those  taking  the  first  lessons  in  army 
life,  all  these  things  seem  incomprehensible,  to  say  the  least,  and 
' '  Who's  to  blame  ?  ' '  seems  to  be  floating  in  the  very  atmosphere  about 
them. 

Deplore  such  a  state  of  things  as  we  will,  it  is  still  a  part  of  army 
life.  It  belongs  to  war,  and  the  grey-haired  military  chief,  whom  all 
would  recognize  were  I  to  name  him,  was  correct  when  he  once  said  to 
me:  "Strange  as  it  may  seem,  the  days  of  *  rest '  at  an  active  field  are 
its  hardest  days." 

The  ofttimes  perplexed  officers  at  Santiago  will  neither  exclaim  nor 
disclaim  against  this  little  statement,  if  it  should  ever  meet  the'r  eyes. 
They  will  realize,  however,  that  there  were  others,  near  then  having 
no  power,  or  scarcely  place,  who  could  yet  comprehend  their  perplexi- 
ties, and  sympathize  with  the  distressing  conditions  surrounding  them. 

They  will  also  recall  that  from  this  source  no  unreasonable  request 
was  ever  made  of  them,  no  impatient  word  spoken — only  thanks  for 
needed  facilities  that  could  be  granted,  for  those  withheld,  respectful 
acquiesence. 

To  every  officer  on  that  first  conquered  field  of  Cuba,  who  extended 
to  the  organization  I  had  there  the  honor  to  represent,  or  to  myself 
personally,  the  smallest  recognition  or  kindness,  if  it  were  only  a  mere 
courtesy,  I  tender  in  behalf  of  the  Red  Cross,  honoring  gratitude  and 
heartfelt  thanks.  As  soldiers,  they  performed  their  duty;  as  men,  they 
sustained  their  own  manly  self  respect. 

Knowing  that  several  of  my  aides  have  kept  their  own  notes  during 
the  entire  campaign,  especially  as  pertaining  to  the  department  occupied 
by  each,  I  have  for  the  sake  of  accuracy  and  perspicuity,  invited  them 
to  contribute,  from  their  notes,  reports  to  this  hastily  written  volume. 
These  reports  must  perforce  so  completely  cover  the  time  of  this  rather 
uneventful  period,  until  we  should  again  enter  upon  some  more  active 
operations,  I  decide  to  leave  this  space  to  them,  referring  the  reader,  if 
he  have  the  interest  to  follow,  tc  these  reports,  and  especiall}^  to  the 
letter  from  our  Santiago  committee,  composed  of  the  leading  men  of 
the  city,  whose  faithful  service,  wisdom  and  care  for  the  interests  of 
their  community,  lends  a  halo  of  grateful  remembrance  to  the  very 
mention  of  their'names 


HOSPITAL  SERVICE.  587 


RHPORT   OF   DK.    A.    MONAE   LESSER. 

In  response  to  a  call  from  the  president  of  the  American  National 
Red  Cross,  I  left  this  city  with  Mrs.  Lesser  for  Key  West  on  June  15. 
On  my  trip  South,  a  train  of  recruits  commanded  by  First  Lieutenant 
Heavey,  First  Infantry,  joined  us  on  their  way  to  Tampa.  There  were 
a  number  of  sick  on  this  train;  I  offered  my  services  to  the  lieutenant, 
which  he  accepted,  and  I  attended  the  sick.  Most  of  them  had  bowel 
troubles;  either  diarrhcea  or  constipation;  several  had  fever,  and  .some 
sore  throats.  One  private  was  very  ill,  and  lay  on  a  short  bench  in  a 
Southern  Railroad  coach.  His  temperature  was  high,  and  his  condition 
somewhat  alarming,  I  engaged  a  section  in  a  sleeping  car,  saw  that  he 
was  made  comfortable,  gave  him  medicine,  and  Mrs.  Lesser  nursed  him 
until  we  arrived  in  Tampa,  The  lighter  cases  as  well  as  the  one  special 
case  were  much  improved  when  we  arrived  at  Tampa,  still  I  mentioned 
that  the  patient  be  taken  in  an  ambulance  which  the  lieutenant  ordered 
by  telegraph  before  we  reached  Tampa,  We  then  proceeded  to  the 
steamer  "  Mascot,"  bound  for  Key  West,  On  board  were  a  number  of 
marines  of  the  United  States  Navy,  several  of  them  suffering  from  the 
same  troubles  as  Lieutenant  Heavey's  recruits.  Among  them  was  one 
case  of  erysipelas,  due  to  improper  care  of  a  vaccinated  pox.  W^e 
attended  him,  and  left  him  and  all  the  others  comparatively  well  in 
Key  West,  where  Mrs.  Lesser  and  myself  joined  Miss  Barton  and 
stafif  on  the  steamship  "State  of  Texas," 

The  following  morning,  June  20,  we  started  for  Cuba,  reaching 
Santiago  afte  a  ^'x  days' journey.  On  June  26,  Mr,  George  Kennan, 
vice-presid'^nt  ot  the  American  National  Red  Cross,  interviewed 
Admiral  ampson  for  instructions,  and  the  steamship  "  State  of 
Texas"  was  directed  to  Guantanamo,  where  we  remained  over  night. 

The  following  morning,  June  27,  a  correspondent  of  a  New  York 
paper  boarded  the  "  Texas  "  and  informed  Miss  Barton  that  a  battle 
had  been  fought  at  the  front,  and  that  there  were  a  number  of  sick  and 
wounded  at  Siboney. 

Miss  Barton  gave  orders  for  the  ship  to  return  immediately  to 
Siboney  (a  little  village  between  Santiago  and  Guantanamo),  at  which 
place  we  arrived  at  9.20  p.  m. 


s88  THE  RED  CROSS. 


Work  in  the  Field. 


Upon  arriving  at  Siboney,  although  it  was  late  in  the  evening.  I 
was  directed  by  Miss  Barton  to  go  ashore  to  inquire  into  the  needs  of 
the  hospital,  and  if  any,  to  present  her  compliments,  and  to  make  the 
following  offer: — Although  the  "State  of  Texas"  was  sent  to  feed 
the  refugees  and  starving  Cubans,  it  carried  some  persons  and  articles 
that  might  serve  for  hospital  purposes,  and  that  the  Red  Cross  considers 
its  first  duty  to  be  to  help  those  who  are  nearest. 

There  was  a  large  barn  to  which  I  was  directed  when  I  asked  for 
the  hospital.  I  introduced  myself  and  staff  to  the  physician,  extended 
the  compliments  of  the  president  of  the  Red  Cross  offering  the  services 
of  her  staff,  as  well  as  needed  supplies.  The  physician  in  charge  very 
courteously  answered  that  he  had  been  ordered  to  go  to  the  front  the 
foUowing  morning,  and  not  needing  anything,  thanked  the  Red  Cross 
for  its  offer. 

Westward  from  the  landing  place  was  a  pond  of  stagnant  water. 
Upon  a  little  hill  across  a  railroad  track  stood  a  number  of  wooden 
cottages.  The  first  large  one,  which  seemed  to  have  been  some  kind  of 
a  store,  and  a  barn  westward  from  it  was  pointed  out  to  me  as  another 
hospital.  (It  was  the  same  house  which  later  was  used  as  a  post- 
office,  in  which  Postmaster  Brewer  contracted  yellow  fever,  but  which 
vas  never  used  by  the  Red  Cross.)  There  were  a  number  of  sick 
soldiers  lying  around  on  the  floor,  Surgeon-Major  Ildvard  being  in 
command.  I  made  the  same  offer  to  the  major  as  I  had  made  in  the 
first  place,  and  the  condition  of  affairs  being  apparent,  I  tendered  him 
the  services  of  the  Sisters,  as  well  as  cots  and  blankets  for  his  sick;  for 
which  he  thanked  me,  adding  that  he  would  accept  the  cots  and 
blankets,  bu*:  that  he  did  not  require  nurses.  I  invited  him  to  the 
steamship  "State  of  Texas"  to  see  Miss  Barton,  so  that  he  might 
select  such  articles  or  service  as  he  desired.  From  there  I  went  with 
the  staff  to  Dr.  Virano,  surgeon-in-chief  of  the  Cuban  Hospital, 
making  the  same  statement  and  offers  to  him.  He  introduced  us  to 
^rcneral  Garcia  and  his  staff,  and  thankfully  accepted  the  offer  of  the 
led  Cross.  His  patients  were  lying  on  cots  and  on  the  floor,  little  care 
.pparently  havirfr  been  given  to  put  the  house  in  fit  and  proper  condi- 
:ion.  This  ended  our  duty  of  the  evening,  and  we  returned  to  the 
ship. 

The  next  morning,  June  28,  Major  Surgeon  Havard  visited  Miss 
Barton  on  the  "Texas,"  as  also  did  a  Cuban  delegation;  the  former 


HOSPITAL  SERVICE.  589 

made  a  request  for  cots,  and  the  latter  fcr  the  assistance  of  nur.-es,  and 
food  for  the  sick.  Sister  Isabel,  Sister  Minnie,  Sister  Annie  and  Sister 
Blanch  under  the  direction  of  Mrs.  Lesser  went  to  the  Cuban  Hospital, 
taking  with  them  proper  nourishment  for  the  sick,  and  utensils  for  pre- 
paring the  same.  The  work  of  relief  then  began  at  the  Cuban  Hospi- 
tal, and  beds  and  blankets  were  sent  on  shore  for  Major  Havard. 

The  same  morning  Miss  Barton  directed  me  to  go  to  the  front  and 
find  out  if  anything  was  needed  at  the  camps,  and  accompanied  by  Mr, 
George  Kennan  and  Mr.  El  well  I  started  about  10.00  a.  m.  A  large 
detachment  of  infantry  which  the  night  before  had  camped  along  the 
shore  of  Siboney,  had  gone  on  the  road  up  the  hill  about  a  thousand 
feet  in  height,  while  another  detachment  of  infantry  and  artillery  took 
the  lower  road  in  the  valley,  being  the  only  road  for  vehicles  which 
leads  from  Siboney  to  Santiago.  The  men  looked  well,  although  the 
heat  prostrated  a  number  of  them  on  the  march.  We  walked  along 
the  latter  road  as  far  as  the  Camp  of  Rough  Riders,  which  on  that  day 
was  the  furthest  in  front,  a  distance  of  eight  miles  from  Siboney.  It 
was  several  days  after  the  battle  between  the  Rough  Riders  and  the 
Spaniards. 

The  next  day,  June  29th,  I  returned  to  the  shore  with  the  Sisters, 
whose  work  and  value  had  been  observed  by  others.  Siboney  with  a 
large  water  supply  and  a  sea  breeze  was  selected  for  the  Reserve  Divi- 
sional Hospital  of  the  Fifth  Corps.  Surgeon-Major  La  Garde,  of  the 
regular  army  service,  was  the  chief  of  the  department.  His  supply 
was  small,  and  conveniences  still  smaller,  which  he  said  was  owing  to 
the  fact  that  through  military  necessity  medical  and  hospital  supplies 
of  the  army  were  still  on  the  transports,  with  no  means  of  unloading. 
There  were  but  few  hospital  tents,  and  the  cots  in  them  were  occupied 
by  a  number  of  patients,  in  whom  Dr.  Fauntleroy  took  great  interest. 
I  offered  the  services  of  the  Red  Cross,  as  directed  by  the  president. 
The  major,  a  man  with  humane  ideas,  unable  to  get  such  supplies  as 
were  needed,  accepted  any  reasonable  aid  that  he  could  receive. 

Our  offer  came  at  a  moment  when  we  could  be  of  help.  Surgeon- 
Major  Havard  with  his  staff  had  been  ordered  to  the  front  and  was 
unable  to  place  the  cots  we  had  landed.  His  patients,  who  were 
suffering  from  typhoid  fever,  measles  and  other  diseases,  were  trans- 
ferred to  Major  La  Garde's  camp.  Battle  was  expected  every  day.  and 
the  major  in  order  to  be  as  well  prepared  as  possible,  accepted  the  offt- r 
of  assistance  made  by  the  Red  Cross,  and  placed  a  house  at  our  disposal 
to  serve  as  a  hospital.  He  addressed  a  formal  letter  to  Miss  Bartoti, 
who  answered  at  once  in  kind  words  and  deeds.     We  also  imnicfli.-^.t.'v 


590  THE  RED  CROSS. 

sent  word  to  Miss  Ration,  cicscrihiiig  the  requirements.  The  Sisters 
cleaned  the  muddy  liouse,  then  disinfected  it;  Miss  Barton  sent  from 
the  "State  of  Texas"  cots  and  bedding;  food,  stoves  and  utensils  to 
prepare  the  same.  In  a  few  hours  our  house  was  disinfected  and  in 
order,  and  about  thirty-nine  patients  were  carried  to  it;  most  of  them 
had  typhoid  fever  and  a  few  had  measles. 

The  night  of  July  i,  however,  our  work  had  to  be  changed.  The 
major  called  for  all  assistance  possible  to  attend  the  wounded  who 
were  arriving  from  the  battlefield  of  Santiago,  Large  numbers  of  the 
wounded  were  brought  down,  many  of  whom  walked  miles.  Men 
with  bullet  wounds  through  their  lungs  walked  and  crept  for  hours  to 
get  to  the  hospital.  There  were  hospitals  nearer  to  the  front,  but  all 
seemed  to  have  been  overcrowded  by  the  work  of  that  day,  and  many 
soldiers  had  lost  their  way  in  the  undergrowth  and  wandered  about 
until  they  found  the  nearest  road  to  a  hospital.  Many  walked  because 
they  complained  that  the  rough  roads  and  heavy  wagons  increased 
their  pains  with  every  jolt.  Surgeon- Major  La  Garde's  management 
can  never  be  too  highly  praised.  The  wounded  men  that  came  down 
in  the  wagons  were  examined  by  him  and  laid  somewhere  to  be  com- 
fortable until  they  could  have  attendance.  By  "comfortable "  I  mean 
as  far  as  the  situation  would  permit. 

Every  surgeon  and  nurse  was  put  to  work.  Mrs.  Lesser  and  the 
Sisters  were  called  to  assist  at  an  operating  table,  and  Sister  Annie 
McCue  and  Mrs.  Trumbull  White  were  left  in  charge  of  the  hospital 
building.  At  first  I  had  the  pleasure  of  assisting  a  verj'-  able  army 
surgeon,  Dr.  Fauntleroy,  but  the  same  evening  a  table  was  assigned  to 
me  by  Major  La  Garde.  There  were  six  tables  in  the  tent,  which  were 
in  charge  of  the  following  surgeons:  Drs.  Fauntleroy,  Ireland,  Nan- 
crede,  Munson,  Parker,  Howard  and  myself,  some  coming  later  than 
others.  The  work  continued  all  night,  each  operator  having  one  assis- 
tant and  one  of  the  Sisters  at  his  table,  continuing  all  of  the  following 
day.  As  the  wounded  came  down  in  numbers,  and  there  were  not  cots 
for  them,  thej'  had  to  be  left  in  any  position  around  the  ground.  Major 
La  Garde  and  Chaplain  Gavitt  were  at  all  times  kept  busy  having  long 
flies  put  up  to  protect  them  in  case  it  should  rain. 

Every  moment  news  of  another  battle  was  expected;  the  experi- 
ence of  the  first,  with  no  better  means  as  yet  at  hand,  was  a  matter  of 
great  concern  and  worry  to  all  present.  Suggestions  were  made  and 
discussed.  Finally  it  was  agreed  to  request  more  Red  Cross  aid  by 
telegraph.  A  call  for  one  hundred  Sisters  was  suggested,  and  Mrs. 
Lesser  was  consulted  in  the  matter.     We  had  fifty  trained  nurses  and 


Copyright,  1898,  by  Clara  Barton. 

A  GROUP  OF  RED  CROSS  SISTERS 
The  four  sisters  of  the  New  York  Red  Cross  Hospital  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  A. 
Monae  Lesser,  who  nursed  sick  reconcentrados  and  their  orphans  in  Havana,  and 
afterward  assisted  the  surgeons  on  the  ships  and  in  the  hospitals  of  Siboney  in 
dressing  the  wounds  of  Cuban,  Spanish  and  American  soldiers  and  sailors,  until 
they  fell  victims  of  the  fever  and  want  into  hospital  themselves. 


(^^ 


\ 


P:1 


*^, 


* 


Q 


;/^ 


HOSPITAL  SERVICE.  503 

assistants  on  our  lists,  also  women  to  act  as  matrons  to  distribute  nour- 
ishment; we  promised  to  send  for  that  number  immediately,  as  we  had 
sent  for  twenty-five  already.  That  morning  Miss  Barton,  with  Mr. 
Kennan  and  several  of  her  staflf,  had  gone  to  the  front,  and  before 
leaving,  Miss  Barton  instructed  her  secretary,  Mr.  C.  H.  H.  Cottrell, 
that,  at  our  request,  he  should  cable  in  her  name  for  such  persons  and 
material  as  should  be  needed  in  the  Hospital  Department.  We  cabled 
for  fifty  nurses,  ten  assistants,  a  number  of  immune  physicians,  com- 
plete hospital  equipment,  and  a  quantity  of  surgical  material,  sufficient 
to  make  at  least  five  hundred  patients  comfortable. 

The  work  was  performed  almost  without  intermission,  every  sur- 
geon employing  all  his  energies.  The  feeling  in  the  hospital  among 
the  members  of  the  surgical  staff  was  an  excellent  one. 

The  night  of  the  third  we  expected  to  be  able  to  rest  a  few  hours, 
but  during  the  day  the  fleet  had  fought  its  battle,  and  a  number  of 
Spanish  wounded  prisoners  were  taken  off"  by  the  various  ships.  Dr. 
Lewis,  chief  surgeon  of  the  '"  Harvard,"  who  assisted  in  attending  the 
wounded  at  the  hospital  at  Siboney,  invited  Dr.  Parker,  myself  and 
the  Sisters  to  help  him  in  attending  the  wounded  Spaniards,  to  which 
we  gladly  responded  and  spent  the  night  on  the  "  Harvard." 

The  wounded  continued  to  arrive  for  four  days,  many  of  them 
telling  that  they  had  been  shot  on  the  first  day  of  the  battle,  July  i, 
and  as  yet  had  received  no  care  except  from  some  comrade  who  had 
with  him  the  little  emergency  package. 

Permit  me  to  say  here  that  I  believe  the  little  emergency  package 
has  saved  many  a  man  from  death  through  bleeding. 

Most  notable  and  commendable  was  the  desire  of  the  surgical  staff" 
to  save  limbs  when  at  all  possible;  and  I  have  seen  and  often  joined 
Drs.  Fauntleroy,  Mancrede,  Ireland  and  Parker  in  the  work,  spending 
an  hour  for  resection  of  the  part  in  order  to  prevent  amputation.  Of 
course  all  endeavored  to  do  the  same,  and  out  of  the  total  number  of 
1415  wounded  treated  in  the  Siboney  Hospital  after  the  battle,  there 
were  but  three  amputations  of  the  thigh,  two  of  the  leg  and  one  of  the 
forearm,  that  I  observed  in  the  camp.  The  death  rate  was  also  very 
small ,  as  most  of  the  shots  made  clean  wounds,  and  only  when  they 
affected  most  vital  parts  did  they  cause  death. 

The  dressing  of  wounds  and  the  operating  upon  the  wounded, 
however,  were  not  all  the  service  required  by  the  injured.  Shelter, 
comfortable  cots  and  blankets  were  needed,  very  few  of  which  had  been 
landed.  Still,  as  the  wounded  came,  and  the  needs  became  greater,  I 
saw  Surgeon-Major  La  Garde,  most  ably  assisted  by  Chaplain  Gavitt, 


-,04  THE  RED  CROSS. 

hunt  about  for  canvas  or  anything  that  would  act  as  cover  for  a  tent, 
and  have  it  put  up  along  the  tents  and  flies.  Their  work  was  unceas- 
ing. In  tho.se  days  every  officer  and  member  of  the  medical  staff  gave 
up  his  cot  and  tent  that  the  wounded  might  find  some  kind  of  shelter 
and  proper  resting  place;  but  in  spite  of  that  they  were  inadequate. 
The  largest  number  of  wounded  lay  on  the  ground,  some  on  blankets, 
others  on  canvas,  or  if  very  severely  wounded,  on  a  litter. 

The  steamship  "State of  Texas"  had  a  number  of  cots  (I  believe 
350)  which  were  originally  meant  for  Cuban  relief,  many  of  which  we 
used  in  the  Red  Cross  Hospital  at  Siboney;  when  I  informed  Miss  Bar- 
ton of  the  condition  of  affairs,  all  cots  that  were  in  the  ship  were 
unloaded  and  sent  to  the  hospital,  and  the  most  seriously  wounded 
received  comfortable  resting  places. 

The  gauze,  particularly  the  iodoform  gauze,  and  bandages  soon 
gave  out.  The  "State  of  Texas  "  carried  a  quantity  of  surgical  dress- 
ing^. All  that  was  necessary  was  to  ask  Miss  Barton  for  them,  who 
immediately  sent  on  land  any  article  needed  if  in  her  possession. 

Among  our  patients  were  several  cases  of  gunshot  wound  through 
the  skull  and  brain  near  the  eyes;  the  eyes  were  inflamed,  and  ice  had 
to  be  applied  continuously  to  relieve  excruciating  pain.  Dr.  Fauntleroy 
suggested  that  the  cases  be  sent  to  the  Red  Cross  Hospital,  we  had 
there  the  only  ice  in  the  field  at  that  time;  it  also  came  from  the  ' '  State 
of  Texas,"  from  which  we  received  a  daily  supply.  The  ej^e  cases 
were  carefully  attended  by  Mrs.  White,  the  wife  of  Dr.  Trumbull 
White,  of  the  Chicago  Record^  who  deserves  much  praise  for  the  con- 
stant attention  which  she  gave  them.  It  was  necessary  to  make  contin- 
uous application  of  ice  every  few  minutes,  which  she  did  with  constant 
and  unceasing  care,  Mrs.  White  is  not  a  trained  nurse,  but  a  gentle, 
wise  woman.  I  agree  with  the  remarks  of  Dr.  Fauntleroy  when  he 
said  that  her  attention  and  the  ice  relieved  much  suffering  and  saved 
quite  a  few  from  blindness.  Captain  Mills,  who  was  one  of  the  wounded 
in  that  manner,  may  tell  of  his  own  experience. 

Most  of  the  cases  of  gunshot  wounds  gave  very  little  work  to  the 
surgeons,  as  the  bullet  entered  atone  place  and  made  its  exit  at  another, 
thus  leaving  a  clean  wound.  Even  through  vital  parts  of  the  body, 
such  as  the  brain  and  abdomen,  bullets  passed  without  apparently  giv- 
ing the  patient  any  great  distress.  The  simple  cases  did  not  need  much 
attention;  cleanliness  and  a  cushioned  dressing  well  protected  was  all 
they  usually  required.  In  fact,  many  of  the  smaller  wounds  came  to 
us  bandaged  with  a  little  emergency  pad,  progressing  in  healing.  These 
were  always  shots  from  the  Mauser  bullet.     Many  of  the  men  that  I  saw 


HOSPITAL  SERVICE.  595 

were  shot  in  the  shoulder,  the  bullets  making  exits  through  the  back. 
Some  gunshot  wounds  had  two  places  of  exit  and  entrance  in  their 
course.  For  instance,  I  had  cases  in  which  the  bullet  had  gone  into 
the  upper  and  lateral  part  of  the  cranium,  come  out  behind  the  ear, 
went  into  the  shoulder  and  came  cut  behind  and  below  the  shoulder 
blade;  or  had  made  its  course  tlirough  the  left  arm,  again  entering  the 
right  chest  and  coming  out  at  the  back.  It  would  perhaps  be  out  of 
place  to  enumerate  or  describe  in  this  report  the  many  courses  which  the 
bnllets  have  taken,  but  as  stated,  most  of  them  required  little  attention. 
There  were,  however,  some  serious  wounds,  such  as  compound  com- 
minuted fractures,  in  the  treatment  of  which  great  skill  was  shown  by 
the  various  surgeons  in  the  hospital.  Those  were  the  cases  which  in 
former  years  would  have  resulted  in  amputation,  but  drainage  and 
cleanliness,  plainly  speaking,  have  given  the  patients  the  advantage  of 
keeping  their  limbs. 

In  the  simple  cases  one  could  work  alone,  with  the  assistance  of  a 
Sister  or  a  hospital  steward,  but  in  the  more  diflScult  cases  good  surgical 
skill  was  required,  and  it  was  often  a  source  of  great  gratification  to  see 
two  eminent  surgeons,  of  equally  good  reputation,  assisting  each  other 
in  a  difficult  case;  one  advising,  the  other  acting;  thus  the  greatest 
harmony  existed  among  the  members  of  the  staff.  The  Sisters  being 
required  in  the  operating  tents  as  also  the  stewards  there  were  no  nurses 
in  the  tents  to  care  for  the  wounded. 

No  food  had  been  prepared  for  the  large  number  of  wounded  lying 
on  the  cots  or  on  the  ground  on  blankets  or  canvas;  a  great  many  of 
them  were  too  helpless  even  to  turn.  Surgeon-Major  La  Garde  did  me 
the  honor  of  consulting  me  in  regard  to  the  nursing,  and  I  suggested 
that  some  of  the  Sisters  leave  the  operating  tables,  which  were  by  that 
time  supplied  with  other  assistants. 

The  major  then  sent  for  Mrs.  Lesser,  who  suggested  that  the  worst 
cases  be  brought  into  one  or  two  rows  of  tents,  as  the  small  staff  of 
Sisters  brought  into  Cuba  was  not  sufficient  to  take  charge  of  all  and 
do  them  justice.  The  rows  of  tents  were  then  placed  in  her  charge, 
and  she  portioned  the  work  of  caring  for  them  among  the  Sisters 
assisted  by  hospital  corps  men.  The  soldiers  were  nearly  famished; 
some  had  not  received  a  morsel  of  food  for  two  days.  Oatmeal  gruel, 
coffee  and  quantities  of  prune  juice  and  other  articles  of  relish  were  at 
once  prepared  at  the  Red  Cross  Hospital  in  big  cans  which  had  come 
from  the  "  State  of  Texas,"  and  with  the  assistance  of  the  ever  active 
indefatigable  Chaplain  Gavitt,  and  several  newspaper  correspondents, 
the  wounded  soldiers  received  such  food  as  their  conditions  allowed. 


596  THE  RED  CROSS. 

Unfortunately  the  surgeons  lost  track  of  the  greater  number  of 
their  cases.  The  patient  marked  for  redressing  was  placed  on  any 
table,  and  the  surgeon  in  charge  of  that  table  redressed  the  wound; 
thus  it  was  hard  to  say  what  result  one  or  the  other  had  obtained,  with 
the  exception  of  a  few  cases,  which  by  special  request  one  was  allowed 
to  continue  to  observe.  Some  of  the  patients  came  down  with  their 
wounds  dressed  in  some  hospital  at  the  front,  and  I  may  here  mention 
that  I  saw  excellent  work  coming  from  the  hospital  in  command  of 
Dr.  Woods. 

When  the  rush  was  over,  I  was  called  to  the  camp  where  the 
Spanish  prisoners  were  located.  I  prescribed  for  their  ailments,  while 
the  Sisters  supplied  their  food.  In  addition,  I  answered  the  calls 
which  came  from  Cuban  families  in  Siboney.  Some  Spanish  prisoners 
were  wounded  and  others  suffered  from  fevers.  Those  who  were 
wounded  had  their  wounds  dressed  at  the  scene  of  battle,  and  although 
some  of  the  dressings  were  temporary,  they  feared  to  have  any  person 
touch  them,  until  assured  that  they  would  be  treated  as  gently  as  pos- 
sible. The  patients  had  now  all  been  operated  upon  and  attended  ;  only 
some  of  the  wounds  needed  redressing.  They  were  taken  to  the  trans- 
port hospital  ships  as  soon  as  their  condition  permitted.  It  was  about 
that  time  the  hospital  ship  Relief  arrived,  bringing  more  food  for  inva- 
lids and  more  equipped  cots. 

Dr.  Guiteras,  who  visited  all  the  hospitals  daily,  informed  me  one 
afternoon  that  he  had  found  a  case  of  yellow  fever  in  camp  (not  in  our 
hospital),  developed  in  a  place  near  Siboney.  There  were  two  or  more 
suspicious  cases  which  he  had  watched,  and  he  believed  that  yellow 
fever  would  develop  very  rapidly.  I  called  the  Sisters  together,  pre- 
sented the  situation  to  them,  that  they  might  decide  whether  to  stay 
in  the  field  or  return  to  the  "State  of  Texas."  Their  unanimous 
decision  to  stay  and  face  the  consequences  made  them  continue  their 
work  without  any  hesitation.  The  Red  Cross  Hospital  building  became 
crowded,  one  room  was  set  aside  for  doutful  cases,  while  the  other 
rooms  were  occupied  with  typhoid  patients.  The  porch  in  front  of  the 
house,  shaded  with  canvas,  and  a  little  isolated  room  to  the  right, 
sheltered  the  wounded. 

My  work  at  the  Red  Cross  Hospital  became  continuous,  as  a  large 
number  of  patients  came  from  the  various  camps  to  receive  attention, 
and  still  a  larger  number  from  our  camp  came  for  consultation  and 
treatment.  The  number  of  such  consultations  I  discontinued  to  write 
down  after  three  hundred  were  attended,  Americans,  Spanish  and 
Cubans  together. 


HOSPITAL  SERX'ICE. 


507 


Every  case  of  typhoid  fever  and  other  disease  which  was  placed  in 
our  charge  from  the  day  we  opened  the  hospital,  has  recovered.  The 
last  of  them  were  brought  home  well  on  the  "  Concho;  "  those  that 
came  later  were  on  the  way  to  recovery  when  I  left  for  the  fever  hos- 
pital.    Among  our  patients  were  two  who  had  measles,  complicated 


n.^^ 


p  \    '^y 


THE    BURNING    OF    SIBONEY  —  RED    CROSS    HOSPITAL    IX    TIIH    lOklCCIKOUND. 


with  pneumonia,  and  there  was  a  large  number  of  patients  suffering 
with  Cuban  malarial  fever.  I  also  wish  to  state  that  not  one  patient  in 
our  hospital  became  infected  with  yellow  fever  ;  the  cases  that  had  it 
came  there  with  the  dijjease,  but  were  closely  observed,  and  as  soon  as 
the  first  positive  sign  was  noticed,  they  were  isolated  and  bi ought  to 


598  THE  RED  CROSS. 

the  fever  hobpital.  The  total  number  of  sick  permanent  and  transient 
thus  attended  was  234.  Most  of  the  medicines  we  had  brought  with 
us,  but  received  some  from  army  stores. 

When  the  "  State  of  Texas  "  left  for  Jamaica  to  get  ice,  in  order  to 
save  time  we  took  a  dwelling  in  one  of  the  houses  at  Siboney,  which 
was  beheved  by  experts  not  to  be  infected.  The  family  living  in  it  was 
very  clean,  and  it  appeared  that  the  house  would  serve  as  well,  and 
perhaps  better  than  any  other.  Our  tents,  in  which  we  should  have 
preferred  to  live,  had  not  arrived,  nor  did  we  have  any  cots,  all  having 
been  given  to  the  sick  and  wounded. 

When  the  houses  at  Siboney  were  ordered  to  be  burned  down,  we 
left  for  the  yellow  fever  camp.  Before  leaving  I  requested  Dr.  Senn 
to  operate  upon  two  Spanish  prisoners  whom  I  had  not  seen  for  several 
days. 

On  the  seventh  day  after  our  arrival  at  the  camp  we  were  able  to 
return  to  Siboney.  Our  ailments,  although  not  prevented,  had  been 
made  light  by  prophylactic  methods,  and  our  recovery  was  consequently 
rapid.     After  our  return  to  Siboney  I  again  offered  to  serve. 

In  the  meantime  word  from  Assistant  Surgeon-General  Greenleaf 
was  received  at  Siboney,  stating  that  forty-five  Red  Cross  nurses, 
surgeons  and  other  assistants,  had  arrived  at  Guantanamo,  waiting  to 
come  to  us,  and  as  we  returned  the  same  day  from  the  fever  camp, 
Surgeon-Major  La  Garde  telegraphed  and  telephoned  repeatedly  for 
them  to  come,  but  he  received  no  reply. 

Feeling  that  under  the  existing  circumstances  and  exhausted  from 
work  and  illness  we  could  not  continue  to  work  without  more  as- 
sistance, I  applied  for  our  return.  Surgeon-Major  La  Garde  upon  this 
placed  me  in  charge  of  the  steamship  "  Concho  "  which  left  for  the 
North  on  July  23,  of  which  voyage  a  special  report  has  been  presented. 

Before  my  departure  from  Siboney,  Surgeon- Major  La  Garde 
handed  me  a  document,  a  copy  of  which  I  herewith  present: 


Reserve  Divisional  Hospital,  Fifth  Corps, 

Siboney,  Cuba,  July  23,  i8gb. 

This  is  to  certify  that  Dr.  A.  Monae  Lesser,  surgeon-in-chief  of  the  American 
National  Red  Cross,  offered  his  services  to  the  Medical  Department  of  the  army  on 
the  twenty-ninth  day  of  June.  From  the  latter  date  to  the  present  day  Dr.  Lesser 
has  been  connected  with  this  hospital  as  a  surgeon  and  patient.  When  the 
wounded  commencecl  to  arrive  on  July  i,  and  during  the  rush  of  work  which  lasted 


HOSPITAL  SERVICE.  599 

four  days  in  the  care  of  the  wounded,  Dr.  Lesser  was  assigned  one  of  the  six 
tables  in  the  operating  room.  His  work  was  skillful  and  most  continuous.  His 
suggestions  to  me  on  more  than  one  occasion,  concerning  administration  details, 
were  of  the  highest  value.  After  the  rush  of  work  in  the  operating  room  Dr. 
Lesser  continued  to  take  charge  of  a  hospital,  a  building  which  was  pronounced 
free  from  infection,  in  which  he  treated  wounded  and  sick  soldiers.  His  work  was 
the  admiration  of  every  one  who  had  the  good  fortune  to  be  under  the  watchful 
crire  of  himself  and  the  Sisters  under  him.  Unfortunately  the  building — in  which 
they  lived — soon  showed  signs  of  yellow  fever  infection.  Dr.  Lesser,  his  wife  and 
four  of  the  Sisters — his  entire  staff — were  taken  one  by  one  with  the  fever.  They 
were  removed  to  our  yellow  fever  hospital.  They  are  now  convalescing,  though 
weak;  they  leave  us  for  the  North  to-day  for  a  much  needed  rest.  I  have  no  words 
at  my  command  which  could  in  any  way  express  my  appreciation  of  the  work  of 
Dr.  Lesser  and  his  heroic  staff.  Had  it  not  been  for  their  assistance  and  the  quan- 
tities of  supplies  furnished  by  the  "  State  of  Texas, "  the  sufferings  of  the  hun- 
dreds of  wounded  would  have  been  magnified  more  than  I  can  now  venture  to 
express. 

In  commenting  on  our  lack  of  supplies,  attendants,  etc.,  I  desire  to  state  that 
our  unprepared  condition  to  meet  the  rush  of  work  which  came  with  such  surpris- 
ing rapidity  was  due  to  those  military  conditions  which  often  transpire  in  war 
when  blood,  suffering  and  death  seem  to  be  inevitable,  or  beyond  the  scope  of  man 
to  anticipate. 

May  God's  blessing  be  with  him  and  his. 

Louis  A.  La  Garde, 
Major  a7id  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A., 
Commanding  Hospital. 


RELIEF   WORK    IN   CUBA. 


REPORT  OF   C.  H.  H.  COTTRELL,  FINANCIAL   SECRETARY. 

j^^ ARIyY  in  February,  1898,  after  the  President  of  the  United 
L^?  States  had  called  Clara  Barton  to  several  conferences 
on  the  question  of  relieving  the  sufferings  of  the  Cuban 
reconcentrados  ;  and  the  Central  Cuban  Relief  Commit- 
tee had  been  formed  to  take  charge  of  the  funds  and 
supplies  which  it  was  known  that  the  generous  Ameri- 
can people  were  anxious  to  donate  for  this  purpose,  it  was 
decided  that  Miss  Barton  should  go  to  Cuba  at  once  to  assist 
in  the  prompt  and  efficient  distribution  of  the  succor  which  was  so 
near  at  hand.  It  is  her  habit  to  act  quickly  when  her  plans  have 
been  matured,  and  not  a  moment's  time  was  lost  in  preparing  for  her 
journey  to  Havana. 

On  her  arrival  at  Havana  Miss  Barton  communicated  with  the 
American  Consul  General,  the  Spanish  officials,  and  some  of  the  best 
known  and  benevolently  disposed  citizens;  and  after  freely  conferring 
with  them,  and  learning  the  existing  conditions,  the  city  was  divided 
into  distribution  districts,  and  a  committee  of  citizens,  wl^o  were  fully 
acquainted  with  the  people  and  their  wants,  was  appointed  to  take 
charge  of  each  district.  Abundant  space  in  a  very  large  warehouse 
had  already  been  secured  by  the  Consul  General,  which  was,  with  the 
use  of  its  employes,  given  free  of  charge  to  the  Red  Cross. 

Several  of  the  villages  near  Havana  and  as  far  east  as  Matanzas 
were  then  visited  and  arrangements  similar  to  those  made  in  Havana 
were  perfected  for  the  distribution  of  food  and  clothing;  and  these 
communities  were  supplied  as  quickly  as  possible. 

Shortly  after  Miss  Barton's  arrival  in  Havana  the  deplorable 
"Maine"  disaster  occured,  killing,  drowning  and  injuring  so  man 5^  of  our 
brave  sailors  and  marines.     As  soon  as  she  heard  of  this  awful  calamity 

(600) 


RELIEF  WORK  IN  CUBA.  6oi 

she  visited  the  hospital  where  the  victims  who  were  not  killed  outright 
were  lying,  and  arranged  to  have  thetn  provided  with  every  possible 
attention,  and  the  best  of  everything  needed  that  money  and  sympathy 
could  procure. 

As  the  situation  developed  and  the  needs  of  the  country  became 
known,  it  was  found  to  be  necessary  to  largely  increase  the  working 
force  of  the  Red  Cross,  and  arrangements  were  accordingly  made  to 
have  some  of  the  oldest  and  most  experienced  workers  of  that 
organization,  with  some  new  recruits,  come  to  Havana.  A  large 
house  for  their  accommodation  was  secured  in  the  suburb  of  Cerro, 
about  three  miles  from  the  business  centre  of  the  city,  where  they  were 
pleasantly  and  comfortably  established.  The  party  when  completed 
consisted  of  the  following  named  ladies  and  gentlemen: 

Miss  Clara  Barton,  Mr.  J.  K.  Elwell,  Dr.  J.  B.  Hubbell,  Dr.  E. 
Winfield  Egan,  Dr.  A.  Monae  Lesser,  Mrs.  A.  Monae  Lesser,  known 
as  "Sister  Bettina,"  Misses  Annie  McCue,  Minnie  Rogall,  Blanche 
McCorresten  and  Isabelle  Olm,  Red  Cross  nurses  or  "  sisters;"  Mr.  J, 
A.  McDowell  and  Mr.  C.  H.  H   Cottrell. 

Many  of  the  best  citizens  of  Havana,  ladies  and  gentlemen, 
Spaniards  and  Cubans,  gave  us  a  most  hearty  welcome  and  every 
encouragement,  many  of  them  volunteering  their  services  in  any 
capacity  in  which  they  could  be  made  useful,  and  we  were  thus 
enabled  to  secure  a  number  of  doctors  and  nurses,  who  gave  excel- 
lent service,  and  who  received  the  well-deserved  thanks  of  the  Red 
Cross. 

Relief  Distribution  From  the  San  Josf;  Warehouse. 

Mr.  Elwell  was  put  in  charge  of  the  warehouse  with  an  able  co^ps 
of  assistants,  and  his  work  there  was  all  that  could  be  desired,  as  it  was 
something  that  he  was  perfectly  familiar  with  from  long  experience  ;  he 
had  the  great  advantage  of  knowing  the  Spanish  language  and  the 
character  of  the  people  with  whom  he  was  dealing.  Many  hundred 
tons  of  the  finest  supplies,  including  everything  that  a  generous  and 
sympathetic  public  could  think  of  that  would  be  suitable  for  a  famish- 
ing people,  were  given  out  as  fast  as  orders  were  issued  for  them  ;  but 
in  every  instance  the  utmost  care  was  exercised  that  nothing  should  go 
out  that  might  reach  the  hands  of  irresponsible  persons  ;  and  every 
possible  safeguard  of  check  and  receipt  was  adopted  and  successfully 
used. 


6o2  THE  RED  CROSS. 

Opening  a  Hospital  and  ORPHANAiUE. 

The  large  number  of  orphan  children  that  had  been  left  unprovided 
for  appealed  to  the  sympathies  of  some  worthy  people  for  whom 
Consul-General  Lee  was  the  spokesman,  and  Miss  Barton  was  asked 
by  them  to  provide  a  hospital  and  home  for  these  waifs.  She  there- 
fore rented  and  furnished  a  large  private  residence  on  Tulipan  street 
in  Cerro,  near  the  Red  Cross  residence,  which  was  opened  and  named 
the  "  Lee  Orphanage."  The  house  was  completely  arranged  and  had  a 
capacity  for  seventy-five  inmates,  besides  the  attendants,  and  it  was 
soon  filled.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Lesser  were  placed  in  charge  of  the  orphan- 
age, assisted  by  several  Cuban  doctors  and  nurses.  The  greater  part 
of  the  children  who  were  brought  there  were  in  an  extreme  state  of 
exhaustion  from  lack  of  nourishment,  many  being  unable  to  sit  up, 
and  the  greatest  care  and  watchfulness  had  to  be  observed  to  save  their 
lives.  A  few  of  them  died  after  they  reached  the  hospital ;  but  by- 
careful  and  unremitting  attention  the  larger  part  of  them  were  gradually 
brought  back  to  health,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  some  of  them  will 
eventually  find  homes  in  good  families. 


lyOS  Fosos,  THE  Horrible  ! 

An  old  ramshackle  building  long  before  abandoned  as  unsafe  and 
undesirable  was  owned  by  the  city  and  known  as  Los  Fosos.  Being 
worthless  and  unwatched,  it  had  become  the  lodging  place  of  a  horde 
of  beggars  and  tramps,  and  when  the  unfortunate  reconcentrados  were 
driven  into  the  city  from  their  homes  in  the  country  hundreds  of  them, 
flocked  to  this  miserable  place.  Miss  Barton  found  there  men,  women 
and  children  crowded  together  in  a  most  pitiable  and  disgusting  mass; 
and  suffering  from  disease  and  exhaustion  and  in  such  a  state  of  filth 
that  her  party  was  unable  to  endure  the  stench  and  had  to  get  out 
after  a  very  short  stay.  These  poor  victims  of  cruel  war  were  lying 
on  the  bare  floor  in  their  dirty  rags,  and  entirely  helpless  except  for 
such  poor  aid  as  they  could  render  each  other.  Many  of  them  died 
daily  and  their  corpses  would  lie  for  hours  before  being  removed. 
Altogether  it  was  one  of  the  most  horrible  pictures  imaginable. 

Permission  was  obtained  by  the  Red  Cross  to  repair  the  building  and 
make  a  hospital  of  it,  and  carpenters  were  put  to  work  to  strengthen 
the  swaying  floors  and    batten  up  the  sides  and    make  the  roof 


RELIEF  WORK  IN  CUBA.  603 

rainproof.  Three  rooms  were  partitioned  off  for  a  di.spensary,  .store  room 
and  kitchen.  Scrub  women  were  put  to  work  and  a  plentiful  supply 
of  soap,  water  and  disinfectants  soon  made  a  great  change  for  the 
better.  When  the  place  had  been  cleansed,  new  cots  were  brought  in 
and  clean  bedding  put  on  them.  Up  to  the  time  of  their  forced 
departure  those  devoted  nurses  worked  faithfully  from  early  morn  till 
late  in  the  day  to  keep  the  place  decently  clean  and  in.still  habits  of 
neatness  into  those  miserable  beings.  Deprived  of  the  pride  and  care 
of  those  trained  women,  it  is  ea.sy  to  believe  that  within  a  week  after 
they  left,  Los  Fosos  had  resumed  its  former  reputation  as  the  most 
unsavory  spot  in  all  Havana. 

During  the  time  that  Los  Fosos  was  under  the  care  of  the  Red 
Cross  the  best  medical  skill  obtainable  was  given  to  the  inmates,  and 
the  untiring  care  and  attention  of  as  faithful  a  body  of  trained  nurses  as 
the  world  has  ever  known  was  freely  given  them,  and  the  best  of  nourish- 
ing food  and  delicacies  were  abundantly  .supplied;  and  if  fate  had  willed 
that  this  body  of  self-sacrificing  men  and  women  should  remain,  there 
is  no  doubt  that,  in  the  course  of  time,  this  old  pe.sthouse  would  have 
become  a  famous  hospital  with  a  reputation  second  to  none. 


Relief  Work  Discontinued. 

One  of  the  most  comprehensive  systems  of  charitable  work  had 
been  thus  inaugurated  and  was  doing  incalculable  good,  and  was 
receiving  praise  and  gratitude  from  all  classes,  when  it  was  announced 
that  the  official  relations  between  Spain  and  the  United  States,  which  had 
been  strained  for  some  time,  were  about  to  be  broken.  The  American 
Consul-General  announced  that  he  did  not  think  that  it  was  safe  for 
American  citizens  to  remain  in  Cuba  while  the  excited  state  of  feeling 
existed,  and  that  he  should  leave  on  a  certain  daj',  and  he  advi.sed  all 
Americans  in  Cuba  who  wished  to  go  to  the  States  that  he  would  pro- 
vide transportation  for  them.  The  time  given  for  settling  affairs  and 
preparing  to  leave  was  less  than  a  week,  and  accordingly  there  was 
much  excitement  and  great  sacrifices  had  to  be  made,  which  in  many 
cases  meant  niin  and  beggary.  Quite  a  number  of  the  refugees  after- 
ward became  entirel}'^  dependent  upon  the  bounty  of  the  Red  Cross  at 
Key  West  and  Tampa,  Florida. 

When  it  thus  became  necessar>'  to  decide  whether  the  Red  Cross 
ebould  abandon  its  work  in  Cuba,  Miss  Barton  called  her  staff  around 


6o4  THE  RED  CROSS. 

her  (as  is  her  invariable  custom  in  deciding  all  important  matters),  and 
asked  for  their  individual  opinions  as  to  the  advisability  of  their  leav- 
ing, and  a  full  discussion  of  all  the  points  involved  ensued,  and  a 
unanimous  decision  was  arrived  at.  All  Spanish  officials,  national  and 
municipal,  had  never  failed  to  show  the  utmost  courtesy  to  all  our 
members,  and  time  after  time  they  had  shown  their  sincerity  by 
repeated  acts  of  kindness,  and  none  of  us  believed  that  they  were 
likely  to  change  their  attitude  toward  us.  But  when  it  was  considered 
that  war  was  almost  inevitable,  and  that  if  we  remained  in  Cuba  we 
should  be  shut  up  in  an  enemy's  country  and  unable  to  communicate 
with  our  friends  and  relatives,  who  would  be  daily  harrowed  by 
sensational  stories,  it  was  decided  that  we  should  withdraw  when  the 
Consul -General  was  ready  to  leave. 

When  it  became  known  that  we  were  about  to  leave  Miss  Barton 
received  some  very  hearty  assurances  of  regard  and  protection  from 
high  Spanish  officials,  and  many  Spanish  and  Cuban  ladies  and  gentle- 
men called  on  her  and  assured  her  of  their  high  regard  and  deep  grati- 
tude for  all  she  had  done  for  their  sufifering  people. 


Archbishop  of  Havana  Blesses  Lee  Orphanage. 

The  day  before  we  were  to  leave  Cuba  the  Archbishop  of  Havana 
came  to  the  Lee  Orphanage,  where  quite  a  number  of  the  best  people 
of  the  city  had  assembled,  and  gave  his  blessing  to  the  little  institution; 
which  was,  with  those  Catholic  people,  an  augur}'  equivalent  to  a  guar- 
anty that  the  success  and  protection  of  the  undertaking  was  fully 
assured;  and,  indeed,  we  learned  several  months  after  the  war  had 
begun  that  the  Spanish  authorities  had  not  only  taken  the  most  scru- 
pulous care  of  this  hospital,  and  all  its  abundance  of  provisions  with 
which  the  Cuban  Relief  Committee  had  supplied  it,  but  they  had  also 
placed  a  guard  around  Miss  Barton's  residence  and  had  kept  it  invio- 
late from  all  predatorily  disposed  persons.  After  the  war  some  of  our 
party  visited  the  residence  and  the  orphanage,  and  found  provisions 
which  had  been  left  at  both  places  were  still  on  hand. 

Of  course  it  was  to  be  expected  that  the  hospital,  being  deprived 
of  the  example  of  the  trained  Red  Cross  nurse,  with  her  habits  of 
order  and  neatness,  would  naturally  retrograde  in  many  ways,  and  our 
party  therefore  was  prepared  for  the  manj'  evidences  of  neglect  and 
disorder  that  met  their  eyes  on  their  return  visit. 


RELIEF  WORK  IN  CUBA.  605 

The  Central  Cuban  Relief  Committee,  of  New  York,  which  had 
been  appointed  by  the  President  of  the  United  States,  had  abund- 
ant means  to  maintain  this  work  that  had  been  so  successfully 
inaugurated,  and  it  is  greatly  deplored  that  the  unfortunate  dec- 
laration of  war  prevented  the  carrying  out  of  all  the  plans  that  had 
been  so  carefully  matured,  and  which  would  have  saved  the  lives  of 
thousands  of  men,  women  and  children  who  now  lie  under  the  sod. 

Having  made  the  best  possible  arrangement  for  the  maintenance 
of  the  institutions  we  had  brought  into  being  and  had  fostered  in 
Havana;  and  with  the  saddest  regrets  that  we  should  have  to  abandon 
a  work  so  well  begun,  we  boarded  the  ship  "Olivette  "  on  April  11, 
and  started  for  the  United  States.  After  a  great  deal  of  discomfort, 
caused  by  the  overcrowding  of  passengers  and  the  heavy  seas,  we 
reached  Tampa,  Fla.,  on  April  13.  After  a  day  or  two  of  rest.  Miss 
Barton  proceeded  to  Washington  with  Drs.  Hubbell  and  Egan,  the 
remainder  of  the  party  stopping  in  Tampa. 

There  were  at  that  time  probably  about  fifteen  hundred  Cuban 
refugees  in  Tampa  and  eight  or  nine  hundred  in  Key  West,  who 
were  entirely  dependent.  The  Red  Cross  took  upon  itself  the  task 
of  maintaining  these  poor  people,  and  for  a  period  of  seven  months  its 
agents  provided  for  them.  It  should  be  said,  however,  that  the  citizens 
of  both  these  cities  appointed  committees  and  did  all  they  could  to 
relieve  the  necessities  of  these  large  bodies  of  indigent  people. 

Early  in  April  it  had  been  decided  to  charter  a  steamer  in  New 
York  and  to  load  her  with  supplies  and  .send  her  to  different  ports  in 
Cuba,  where  her  cargo  could  be  unloaded  in  such  quantities  as  might  be 
required.  Accordingly,  the  steamer  "State  of  Texas,"  of  about  eigh- 
teen hundred  tons  burden,  was  chartered  from  Messrs.  Mallory  &  Co., 
of  New  York,  and  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  our  party  had  been 
obliged  to  leave  Havana,  and  that  subsequently  war  had  been  declared, 
the  preparations  for  sailing  were  kept  up,  and  the  steamer  was  loaded 
with  a  cargo  of  fourteen  hundred  tons,  which  embraced  a  fine  a.ssort- 
ment  of  substantials  and  delicacies,  and  many  household  articles, 
medicines  and  hospital  stores.  When  she  was  finally  loaded  in  the 
latter  part  of  April,  the  "  Texas  "  sailed  for  Key  West  in  charge  of  Dr. 
J.  B.  Hubbell,  with  Captain  Frank  Young  as  sailing  master,  arriving 
there  on  the  twenty-eighth  of  that  month. 


6o6  THE  RED  CROSS. 

Reception  at  Tampa. 

In  the  meantime,  Dr.  Jos.  Gardner  and  Avifc,  of  Bedford,  Ind.,  had 
joined  our  party  at  Tampa;  and  soon  after  Miss  Barton,  Dr.  Egan,  Mr. 
D.  ly.  Cobb  and  Miss  Lucy  M.  Graves  came  along,  and  it  was  arranged 
that  the  entire  party  was  to  leave  Tampa  on  the  evening  of  April  28,  to 
go  aboard  the  steamer  "  State  of  Texas,"  at  Key  West,  and  remain  on 
her  until  the  army  had  made  a  landing  in  Cuba,  when  it  was  expected 
that  we  should  be  able  to  resume  our  work  there.  The  day  of  the 
evening  we  were  to  leave  Tampa,  Mrs.  J.  M.  Towne,  the  lady  at  whose 
house  our  party  was  stopping,  gave  a  reception  in  honor  of  Miss  Barton, 
to  which  General  Wade  and  the  army  officers  who  were  then  stationed 
there,  and  many  ladies  and  gentlemen  of  that  fine  little  cit}-,  were 
invited.  It  was  a  most  brilliant  and  enjoyable  occasion,  the  uniforms 
of  the  officers  and  the  lovely  toilets  of  the  ladies  making  a  picture  that 
will  long  remain  in  the  memories  of  those  who  saw  it. 

The  Relief  Party  Returns  to  Key  West. 

On  our  arrival  at  Key  West,  on  the  afternoon  of  April  29,  we  were 
met  by  Dr.  Hubbell  and  Mr.  C.  C.  Bangs,  who  had  been  sent  by  the 
New  York  committee  to  assist  in  our  work;  and  Mr.  A.  Butler  Duncan, 
a  well-known  gentleman  of  New  York,  and  were  taken  aboard  the 
steamer  "State  of  Texas,"  where  we  were  welcomed  by  Captain 
Young,  and  where  we  subsequently  passed  many  pleasant  weeks 
together.  A  few  days  later  we  were  joined  by  ^.r.  Geo.  Kennan,  First 
Vice-President  of  the  American  National  Red  Cross,  and  his  wife. 

Key  West  at  that  time  was  a  very  busy  place,  the  harbor  being 
filled  with  naval  vessels  which  came  in  there  daily  from  the  Cuban 
blockading  squadron  for  coal  and  provisions.  Miss  Barton  immediately 
paid  her  respects  to  Captain  Harrington,  of  the  monitor  "  Puritan," 
who  was  the  senior  commander  of  the  port,  and  presented  her  credentials 
from  the  State  and  Navy  Departments.  Subsequently  she  placed  her- 
self in  communication  with  Commodore  Sampson,  and  stated  her  desire 
to  reach  Cuba  at  the  earliest  possible  moment. 

Many  naval  officers  and  citizens  of  Key  West  called  on  Miss 
Barton  daily,  and  this  attention,  combined  with  her  enormous  corres- 
pondence, kept  her  time  fully  occupied  till  late  in  the  night.  There 
was  scarcely  a  day  that  .some  accident  of  more  or  less  severity  did  not 


RELIEF  WORK  IN  CUBA.  607 

happen  to  some  of  the  sailors  or  workmen  on  the  many  auxiliary  craft 
that  were  in  the  harbor;  and  the  Red  Cross  doctors  were  at  all  times  in 
demand.  In  order  to  keep  every  one  in  the  best  preparation  for 
possible  contingencies  of  any  kind,  everybody  on  the  ship  was  instructed 
and  drilled  in  the  various  phases  of  his  or  her  particular  kind  of  work; 
and  thus  all  were  kept  happily  and  busily  engaged.  The  doctors 
inaugurated  a  series  of  lectures  for  the  benefits  of  the  nurses  and 
others,  and  clinics  were  of  frequent  occurrence,  and  every  member  of 
the  party  benefited  by  the  practical  knowledge  thus  attained  in  bandag- 
ing and  taking  care  of  various  kinds  of  injuries. 

Doctor  E.  Winfield  Egan,  of  Boston,  one  of  the  foremost  of  our  sur- 
geons, effected  some  wonderful  operations  here  and  at  Port  Tampa,  and 
won  the  warm  friendship  of  many  a  poor  fellow,  who,  but  for  his  skillful 
ministrations  would  have  fared  badly.  Some  of  the  injured  men  were  so 
badly  hurt  that  days  and  weeks  elapsed  before  they  were  fully  recovered, 
and  during  the  time  of  their  convalescence,  they  were  carefully  attended 
and  watched  by  the  Red  Cross  nurses;  and  at  all  times  of  the  day  the 
Red  Cross  boat,  with  its  well-known  flag  floating,  could  be  seen  going 
from  one  transport  to  another  on  its  errands  of  mercy. 


Feeding  Spanish  Prisoners. 

While  we  were  lying  at  Key  West  there  was  scarcely  a  day  passed 
that  some  of  our  vigilant  blockading  .squadron  did  not  bring  in  from 
one  to  three  captured  prizes;  sometimes  large  steamships,  and  from 
that  class  through  the  various  grades  of  .shipping  down  to  fishing 
smacks;  and  in  the  cour.se  of  a  couple  of  weeks  there  were  between 
thirty  and  forty  of  the.se  boats  lying  at  anchor  in  the  harbor,  with 
their  crews  aboard  under  guard.  Somehow  it  was  forgotten  that  these 
poor  foreigners  must  eat  to  live;  or  else  perhaps  somebody  thought 
that  .somebody  else  was  responsible  for  this  very  important  matter;  be 
that  as  it  may,  they  were  unprovided  for.  The  boats,  of  course,  had 
a  small  amount  of  provisions  aboard  when  they  were  captured,  and 
while  that  lasted  all  went  well;  but  in  a  few  days  their  supply  was 
exhau.sted  and  calls  were  made  on  the  United  States  Marshal,  in  whose 
charge  the  pri.soners  were,  for  food.  That  officer,  having  no  contingent 
fund  on  which  to  draw,  was  in  despair,  and  came  to  Miss  Barton,  who 
at  once  reassured  him  by  saying  that  .she  would  attend  to  the  matter 
and  would   provide  for  all    the  prisoners  until  .such   time  as  he  could 


r)o8  THE  RED  CROSS. 

get  his  petition  through  the  departments  at  Washington.  Accordingly 
several  boatloads  of  provisions  were  hastily  gotten  together  and  taken 
in  low  by  a  steam  launch  which  landed  them  alongside  of  each  prize. 
Miss  Barton  personally  visited  these  boats,  and  with  the  aid  of  an 
interpreter  she  learned  the  needs  of  the  crews,  and  not  only  supplied 
them  with  food,  but  she  arranged  to  take  letters  from  all  wiio  wished 
to  communicate  with  friends  and  relatives  in  Spain  and  elsewhere, 
and  forwarded  the  letters  to  their  destination. 

All  governmental  relations  between  Spain  and  the  United  States 
having  been  broken  by  the  declaration  of  war,  it  was  necessary,  where 
letters  were  to  go  to  Spain,  to  send  them  to  the  Red  Cross  of  Portugal, 
which  organization  kindly  acted  as  the  intermediary  friend  all  through 
the  war.  And  here  I  may  say  that  the  Red  Cross  adopted  this  method 
wherever  there  were  Spanish  prisoners,  and  through  its  kind  offices 
thousands  of  anxious  hearts  received  news  of  their  absent  ones  who 
were  "  held  by  the  enemy." 

New  York  Red  Cross  Relief  Committee. 

About  the  middle  of  May  the  friends  of  the  Red  Cross  in  New 
York  City,  conceived  the  idea  of  forming  a  relief  committee  for  the 
collection  of  money  and  supplies  to  be  used  in  aiding  the  soldiers  in 
camp  and  field.  The  committee  was  formed,  with  some  of  the  richest  and 
most  prominent  people  of  the  country  on  its  list,  and  it  became  neces- 
sary for  Miss  Barton  to  go  to  New  York  to  empower  the  committee 
with  authority  to  act  in  the  name  of  the  Red  Cross.  Accordingly  the 
steamer  "State  of  Texas"  left  Key  West  and  proceeded  to  Port 
Tampa,  where  Miss  Barton  took  train  for  the  North,  leaving  the 
remainder  of  the  party  on  the  steamer. 

Emergency  Relief  at  Port  Tampa. 

At  this  time  there  were  several  camps  at  Tampa  and  Port  Tampa, 
and  several  thousand  troops  were  preparing  for  the  invasion  of  Cuba; 
transports  were  daily  arriving  at  Port  Tampa  and  were  being  placed 
in  readiness  to  carr>'  this  vast  host  to  the  "Pearl  of  the  Antilles." 
Those  were  busy  days  for  everybody,  and  the  Red  Cross  doctors  and 
nurses  were  called  upon  hourly  to  render  service  to  many  victims  of 
injury  and  disease. 


\AAAAA 


tnm 


y^ 


in  charge  of  Red  Cross  nurses  at  r'autical  Club  Hospital,  Santiago  de  Cuba. 


RELIEF  WORK  IN  CUBA.  6ii 

While  we  were  waiting  at  Port  Tampa  we  were  joined  by  Miss 
Janet  Jennings,  of  Washington,  and  Mrs.  Trumbull  White,  of  Chicago, 
both  of  whom  afterward  did  excellent  work  in  the  hospitals  at  Siboney, 

Miss  Barton  rejoined  our  party  on  June  i6,  being  accompanied  by 
Mrs.  J.  Addison  Porter,  the  wife  of  the  secretary  to  President  McKinley, 
who  went  with  us  on  the  "  State  of  Texas." 

Miss  Barton  had  been  the  recipient  of  such  assurances  on  her 
recent  trip  to  Washington  from  the  heads  of  the  various  government 
departments,  that  she  believed  that  the  Red  Cross  would  receive  the 
most  cordial  recognition  from  the  army  and  navy  as  an  auxiliary  aid, 
and  would  be  able  to  co-operate  with  them  in  the  utmost  harmony. 
Although  the  mission  of  the  steamer  "  State  of  Texas  "  was  to  render 
relief  to  the  Cuban  reconcentrados,  it  was  tacitly  understood  and 
believed  by  all  that  every  possible  aid  would  be  extended  to  the  army 
and  navy  forces  whenever  it  was  necessary  or  called  for. 

All  of  the  government  transports  carrying  General  Shafter's  army 
had  sailed  from  Port  Tampa,  bound  for  Cuba,  when,  on  June  17,  the 
"  State  of  Texas  "  weighed  her  anchor  and  started  for  Key  West, 
where  we  arrived  on  the  following  afternoon. 

It  was  learned  at  Key  West  that  the  cargo  of  a  captured  ship,  con- 
sisting of  South  American  "  tasajo,"  or  jerked  beef,  \yas  about  to  be 
sold  by  the  United  States  Marshal;  and  as  we  knew  this  was  a  favorite 
food  of  the  Cubans,  and  that  we  could  get  all  that  we  needed  at  a  very 
low  figure,  Miss  Barton  decided  to  take  aboard  twenty  tons  of  it. 

A  telegram  had  been  sent  from  Port  Tampa  to  the  Secretary  of  the 
Navy,  under  whose  authority  the  "State  of  Texas"  was  then  sailing, 
notifying  him  that  we  were  going  to  Kej'  West,  where  he  could  com- 
municate with  us,  and  thence  on  to  Cuba,  if  orders  to  the  contrary  were 
not  received. 


Sailing  for  Cuba. 

On  June  20,  everything  being  in  readiness,  and  no  orders  having 
been  received  from  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  it  was  decided  to  sail 
and  find  Sampson's  fleet  near  Santiago  de  Cuba,  where  it  was  generally 
believed  that  General  Shafter  would  try  to  effect  a  landing;  so  at 
10.15  ^-  ^-  ^^'6  started,  taking  the  westerly  course  around  Cape  Antonio. 
Just  as  we  were  about  to  leave,  Mr.  W.  S.  Warner  joined  our  party 
and  afterwards  became  one  of  our  most  useful  and  valued  workers. 


6i2  THE  RED  CROSS. 

After  a  pleasant  but  uneventful  voyage  on  the  morning  of  June  25 
we  arrived  off  Morro  Castle,  at  the  entrance  of  the  Bay  of  Santiago. 
The  Spanish  flag  was  flying  over  the  land  fortifications  and  Sampson's 
fleet  was  stationed  in  the  adjacent  waters.  Miss  Barton  sent  a  repre- 
sentative aboard  the  flagship  "  New  York,"  who  presented  her  compli- 
ments to  Admiral  Sampson  and  asked  for  orders,  or  an  expression 
of  his  wishes  regarding  the  position  to  be  taken  by  the  Red  Cross  ship. 
The  Admiral  sent  back  word  saying  that  General  Shafter's  army 
had  disembarked  at  Daiquiri,  a  point  about  twelve  miles  east  of  Morro 
Castle,  and  he  advised  Miss  Barton  to  take  her  ship  to  Guantanamo 
Bay,  where  she  would  find  good  anchorage  and  calm  water;  and  where 
she  would  be  able  to  learn  more  of  what  was  taking  place  on  land,  as 
there  was  constar.t  communication  from  there  with  the  invading  army. 
Accordingly  we  drew  away  and  arrived  that  evening  at  Play  a  del  Este, 
which  is  about  forty  miles  from  Santiago,  and  situated  just  inside  the 
mouth  of  Guantanamo  Baj'. 

Captain  McCalla,  the  naval  commander  of  the  port,  with  several 
other  naval  officers  came  aboard  the  "  Texas "  that  evening,  and 
warmly  welcomed  Miss  Barton.  Among  these  officers  were  the  captain 
and  medical  staff  of  the  United  States  naval  hospital  ship  "Solace" 
which  was  lying;  at  anchor  near  us,  and  they  extended  an  invitation  to 
all  the  members  of  our  part}^  to  visit  their  ship  on  the  following  morn- 
ing. The  invitation  was  accepted,  and  the  next  day  the  launches  of 
the  "Solace  "  came  for  us,  and  we  passed  a  couple  of  very  enjoyable 
hours  looking  over  one  of  the  most  complete  and  handsome  ships  we 
had  ever  seen. 

Departure  for  Siboney. 

After  our  return  to  the  ' '  State  of  Texas  ' '  two  representatives  of 
New  York  papers  called  on  Miss  Barton,  informing  her  that  they  had 
just  come  in  from  Siboney,  where  there  w^as  great  need  of  supplies  and 
medical  aid.  They  said  that  the  men  who  were  wounded  in  the  fight 
between  the  Rough  Riders  and  the  Spaniards  on  the  previous  Friday 
had  just  been  brought  in  and  that  they  were  suffering  from  the  lack 
of  everything  in  the  way  of  comforts  and  conveniences.  Our  steamer 
was  at  once  headed  westward  and  started  within  a  few  minutes  for  the 
scene  of  suffering.  A  two  months'  sojourn  in  tropical  waters  had 
enabled  the  busy  little  cirripeds  to  attach  themselves  in  millions  to  the 
bottom  of  our  ship,  and,  in  nautical  parlance,  she  was  very  "foul," 


RELIEF  WORK  IN  CUBA.  6i  ^ 

and  consequently  our  speed  was  reduced  from  a  normal  of  about  ten 
knots  an  hour  to  between  seven  and  eight  knots,  so  we  did  not  reach 
Siboney  until  after  eight  o'clock  that  night. 

Soon  after  our  ship  was  anchored  a  boat  was  lowered  and  a  party 
of  our  doctors  started  for  the  shore.  As  the  night  was  dark  and  there 
was  no  wharf  nor  other  landing  place,  save  one  small  bit  of  sandy 
beach  which  was  bounded  on  each  side  by  precipitous  rocky  ledges, 
and  no  lights  other  than  those  of  the  ships  which  were  anchored  safely 
away  from  the  shore,  and  the  uncertain  and  misleading  flare  of  an 
occasional  camp  fire  some  distance  away  from  the  beach,  the  landing 
was  a  matter  of  some  difficulty  and  anxiety.  A  heavy  ground  swell 
was  running  quite  high  and  dashed  itself  against  the  rocks  with  a  roar 
that  deafened  us;  however  the  officer  who  was  in  charge  of  the  boat 
was  an  old  sailor,  who  was  used  to  landing  in  strange  places,  and  by 
constant  "  ahoying  "  to  every  sign  of  life  on  ship  or  shore,  we  managed 
to  strike  the  one  soft  spot  in  that  vicinity  and  soon  had  our  boat  drawn 
up  on  the  sand. 

By  inquiring  of  several  sentinels,  we  found  our  way  to  the  array 
hospital,  which  was  a  rough  wooden  building  that  had  evidently 
been  used  for  a  store  or  warehouse  in  more  peaceful  times.  On  a 
veranda  in  front  of  the  hospital  a  group  of  officers  was  standing,  and 
on  our  asking  for  the  surgeon  in  charge.  Major  Havard  stepped 
forward.  Drs.  Gardner  and  Lesser  introduced  themselves  and  the 
other  members  of  the  party  to  Major  Havard  and  formally  offered  him, 
in  the  name  of  Clara  Barton  and  the  Red  Cross,  the  personal  services  of 
all  our  doctors  and  nurses,  and  any  of  our  supplies  that  might  be 
needed.  Major  Havard  very  courteously  thanked  them  for  their  offers 
and  said  that  he  fully  appreciated  the  value  of  such  services,  but  he 
thought  that  he  and  his  assistants  would  be  able  to  take  care  of  all  the 
sick  and  wounded  that  were  there  at  that  time;  and  as  for  supplies,  he 
knew  there  was  an  abundance  of  them  on  the  transports,  and  he  hoped 
they  would  be  landed  the  next  day.  During  these  speeches  our 
members  were  looking  through  the  miserable  place  that  bore  the  name 
of  hospital,  and  the  sights  that  met  us  brought  tears  to  our  eyes.  There 
were  half  a  dozen  cots  in  a  building  where  there  were,  perhaps,  fifty  or 
sixty  patients,  the  greater  number  of  whom  were  lying  on  the  floor, 
some  with  a  blanket  Imder  them,  but  a  great  many  were  lying  on  the 
bare  boards.  Sheets,  pillows  and  bedclothes  were  unknown,  and  those 
poor  fellows  who  were  not  dressed  in  their  uniforms  were  lying  almost 
naked.     There  were  some  wounded  men,   and   others  who  were  sick 


6i4  THE  RED  CROSS. 

with  fever;  and  in  the  dim  light  of  a  few  lanterns  we  could  see  them 
turning  from  side  to  side  in  their  discomfort  and  agony  and  hear  their 
moans,  and  in  some  cases  imprecations  against  a  Government  that 
would  so  illy  provide  for  such  a  contingency.  One  of  the  nurses(?), 
a  young  fellow  who  sat  out  on  the  veranda  in  his  shirt  sleeves  compla- 
cently smoking  a  cigarette,  told  us  that  he  couldn't  do  very  much  for 
the  boys,  as  he  didn't  have  anything  to  do  with;  besides  one  nurse 
couldn't  do  very  much  for  forty  men,  all  wanting  him  at  the  same  time, 
and  he  thought  there  ought  to  be  more  help.  I  couldn't  help  contrast- 
ing this  good  natured  but  rather  indolent  chap,  who  was  performing  his 
duty  in  such  a  careless  and  perfunctory  manner,  with  the  brave,  clean, 
intelligent  and  energetic  young  women  whom  I  knew,  who,  when  on 
duty,  never  took  a  minute's  rest,  but  were  constantly  busy,  and  who 
anticipated  every  w^ant  of  a  patient;  and  who  by  their  bright  faces  and 
cheerful  voices  dro\^e  away  all  feelings  of  despondency  and  homesick- 
ness among  the  sufferers,  and  in  this  way  helped  them  quite  as  far 
on  the  road  to  recovery  as  the  medicine  that  the  doctors  might 
prescribe. 


Cubans  Gladly  Accept  Assistance. 

With  saddened  hearts  we  turned  away  and  entered  the  Cuban  army 
hospital  near  by.  This  house  was  better  furnished  with  beds  and 
bedding  and  other  hospital  appliances  than  the  place  we  had  just  left, 
as  it  had  been  a  regular  army  hospital  when  the  Spaniards  were  in 
possession  of  the  place,  and  they  in  their  quick  retreat  had  left  nearly 
everything  intact.  So  that  these  patients  were  in  a  much  better 
condition.     But  how  dirty  it  was!     And  how^  badly  it  smelled! 

The  Surgeon  in  charge  of  the  Cuban  hospital  was  a  ver>'  intelligent 
Cuban  who  spoke  good  English,  and  he  welcomed  us  warmly,  and 
insisted  on  taking  us  to  see  General  Calixto  Garcia,  whose  headquarters 
were  near  by.  That  fine  old  warrior,  w-ith  his  gentlemanly  and  courtly 
manners,  received  us  with  the  greatest  cordiality,  introducing  us  to  the 
members  of  his  staff  who  were  present,  and  in  every  way  made  us 
feel  that  we  were  more  than  welcome.  He  had  no  hesitation  in 
accepting  any  aid  we  had  to  offer;  said  that  his  men  had  suffered  so 
terribly  during  the  past  three  5'ears  that  he  welcomed  our  coming  as  a 
perfect  godsend.  So  it  was  arranged  that  the  Red  Cross  should  take 
hold  of  the  Cuban  hospital  the  next  day  and  do  what  it  could  to  make 


RELIEF  WORK  IN  CUBA.  615 

it  healthier  and  pleasanter;  although  the  surgeons  in  charge  begged 
that  the  ladies,  i.  c,  the  nurses,  should  not  come  until  the  place  had 
been  cleaned.  But  Red  Cro.ss  nurses  are  trained  in  a  school  that  makes 
the  annihilation  of  dirt  its  first  principle;  and  early  the  following 
morning  they  appeared  with  pails,  scrubbing  brushes,  soap,  whitewash 
and  disinfectants,  and  the  way  in  which  they  went  to  work  elicited  the 
admiration  and  astonishment  of  all  who  saw  them.  After  thoroughly 
washing  and  disinfecting  the  floors,  walls  and  furniture,  they  took  the 
beds  and  put  them  through  the  same  process,  and  afterwards  put  new 
mattresses,  pillows  and  bedding  on  them.  Then  the  patients  were 
taken  in  hand,  and  carefully  bathed  and  put  in  clean  clothing,  and 
then  into  clean,  sweet-smelling  beds.  The  looks  and  words  of  gratitude 
that  were  given  to  those  little  women  in  blue  will  always  remain  a 
happy  recollection  to  them. 

This  grand  transformation  of  the  dirty  Cuban  ho.spital  was  watched 
with  great  interest  by  the  American  officers  and  men,  and  when  it  was 
finally  finished  it  presented  such  a  noticeable  contrast  of  peace,  cleanli- 
ness and  comfort  to  the  United  States  Army  hospital,  where  everything 
was  the  very  opposite,  in  all  its  hideousness  of  neglect,  squalor  and 
suffering,  that  there  was  a  universal  grumble  in  the  camp,  and  men 
were  heard  to  mutter:  ' '  What  kind  of  people  are  these  Red  Cross  folks 
that  come  down  here  and  give  the  best  of  everything  to  the  Cubans, 
and  pass  by  our  own  boys,  who  are  dying  for  the  want  of  these  very 
attentions  ?  ' '  When  it  was  explained  to  them  that  the  Red  Cross  had 
first  gone  to  our  own  hospital  and  offered  all  it  had  to  our  ow^n  army 
surgeons,  and  that  they  had  declined  assi.stance,  there  was  an  immediate 
and  widespread  inquir\',  "  Why?  "  and  as  no  answer  that  would  sat- 
isfy could  be  given,  and  the  grumble  was  becoming  more  general  and 
forcible  all  the  time,  a  little  later  the  army  surgeons  thought  best 
to  allay  further  irritation  by  a  general  acceptance  of  whatever  was 
needed  from  the  Red  Cross  stores,  and  any  personal  assistance  that 
might  be  offered. 

As  a  result  of  this  change  of  mind  everything  that  was  needful  to 
make  the  American  hospital  the  equal  of  the  Cuban  hospital  was  gladly 
given  by  the  Red  Cross,  and  from  that  time  on  to  the  end  of  the  war 
the  army  surgeons  and  the  Red  Cross  worked  in  perfect  harmony  and 
with  mutual  respect  and  admiration.  A  Red  Cross  hospital  was  opened 
at  Siboney  and  immediately  filled  to  its  capacity  with  American  soldiers 
and  government  employes;  and  the  Red  Cross  surgeons  were  given 
operating  tables  in  the  army  hospital  and  on  the  field,  and  with  the  aid 


6i6  THK  RI-:n  CROSS. 

of  Red  Cross  nurses  rendered  splendid  service  in  the  bloody  days  that 
soon  followed. 

Urgent  Cali.  for  Help  at  the  Front. 

As  General  Shafter  pressed  forward  with  his  troops,  the  fighting 
became  more  severe,  and  his  chief  surgeon,  Colonel  Pope,  sent  word  to 
Miss  Barton  asking  for  aid  to  be  sent  out  to  the  front.  She  responded 
immediately  and  personally  led  a  party  consisting  of  Mr.  George  Ken- 
nan,  Mrs.  J.  Addison  Porter,  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Gardner,  Dr.  E.  Winfield 
Egan,  Dr.  J.  B.  Hubbell,  and  Mr.  J.  A.  McDowell,  going  forward  in 
army  wagons  and  on  foot  over  a  road  whose  badness  could  not  be 
exceeded  anywhere:  and  they  soon  had  their  tents  up  and  their  kettles 
boiling,  and  for  several  days  they  devoted  all  their  time  to  relieving 
the  sufferings  of  the  wounded  men  on  the  field.  They  made  gruels 
and  soups,  and  all  the  delicacies  that  could  be  prepared  with  the  facili- 
ties at  hand,  and  distributed  fruits  and  cooling  drinks.  These  poor 
wounded  soldiers  were  lying  on  the  field  where  they  were  left  after 
their  wounds  had  been  dressed;  and  as  there  was  no  food  for  them  to 
eat  except  the  regular  army  ration  of  salt  meat,  hardtack  and  coifee, 
which  man)^  of  them  were  unable  to  swallow,  in  some  instances  they  had 
not  taken  any  nourishment  for  three  days,  and  were  nearly  starved. 

The  "  rainy  season  "  had  just  set  in  and  these  "  martj^rs  to  the 
cause  of  Cuban  liberty,"  who  were  helpless  and  in  many  cases  without 
clothing  of  any  kind,  were  left  without  protection,  except  such  as  could 
be  had  from  small  bushes  and  trees;  and  they  were  subjected  daily  to 
alternate  "  sunshine  and  shower;  "  and  when  it  is  said  that  those  words 
are  not  to  be  taken  in  a  poetical  sense,  but  that  they  mean  intense  heat 
and  deluging  rains,  the  suffering  that  ensued  can  be  understood.  And 
it  may  be  well  to  say  that  in  that  locality  at  that  time  of  the  year,  when 
the  sun  sets  the  cold  air  from  the  mountains  drops  down  into  the  val- 
leys and  the  nights  become  uncomfortably  chilly  before  morning. 

That  the  statement  of  the  sufferings  of  these  men  may  not  be 
thought  overdrawn,  I  shall  introduce  here  an  extract  from  the  testimony 
of  Major  William  Duffiekl  Bell,  an  army  surgeon,  as  given  on  this 
point  in  his  report  for  the  War  Department: 


The  First  division  of  the  Fifth  Army  Corps  Hospital  was  the  only  one  in  the 
field.  The  surgical  force  in  this  hospital  was  insufficient  to  meet  the  demands  upon 
it,  and  numbers  of  the  wounded  lay  unattended  for  twelve  and  even  twenty-four 


RELIEF  WORK  IN  CUBA.  617 

hours  on  the  bare  ground  before  their  turn  came.  There  was  an  insufficient 
supply  of  proper  food  for  invalids,  due  to  lack  of  transportation,  though  there  was 
no  lack  of  surgical  supplies  at  the  hospital,  thanks  to  the  energy  and  business  like 
efforts  of  Major  Wood,  chief  surgeon  of  the  Division  Hospital. 

Another  great  want  was  the  scarcity  of  clothing  and  blankets.  In  many  cases 
soldiers  were  soaked  with  rain  and  stiffened  with  mud  from  the  trenches,  so  that 
their  clothes  had  to  be  removed  before  an  operation  or  dressing,  and  could  not  be 
put  on  again.  Men  were  often  taken  from  the  operating  table  and  of  necessity  in 
many  cases  were  laid  upon  the  wet  ground  without  shelter,  and  in  the  majority  of 
cases  without  even  a  blanket,  and  with  little  or  no  nourishment  for  two  awful  days, 
until  the  Red  Cross  Society,  under  Miss  Barton,  appeared  on  the  scene. 

With  no  intention  to  place  the  blame  for  the  condition  of  things  existing,  it  is 
only  just  to  state  that  had  some  officers  of  the  commissary  and  quartermaster's 
departments  displayed  the  same  zeal  and  enthusiasm  as  did  Major  Wood  and  his 
officers  and  men,  such  things  need  not  have  happened,  and  the  poor  sick  and 
wounded  sufferers  would  not  have  had  to  feel,  as  many  did,  that  they  were  almost 
forgotten  by  God  and  man. 


A  Yellow  Fever  Scare. 

It  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  that  in  such  conditions  our  soldiers 
began  to  fall  victims  to  calentura,  a  prevalent  fever  from  which  very 
few  people  there  escape,  even  though  surrounded  by  the  best  sanitary 
conditions.  The  yellow  fever  scare  had  taken  hold  of  a  part  of  our 
soldiers  before  they  left  the  states;  and  as  there  were  a  great  many 
contract  surgeons  in  the.  army,  wh6  were  inexperienced  in  diag- 
nosing tropical  fevers,  it  was  not  long  before  it  was  reported  that  the 
yellow  fever  had  broken  out,  and  considerable  demoralization  ensued. 
The  Red  Cross  party  which  was  at  the  front  was  requested  to  return  to 
the  steamer;  and  all  the  buildings  at  Siboney,  including  the  hospital, 
were  ordered  to  be  burned  "  to  stop  the  spread  of  the  fever."  Dr.  and 
Mrs.  Lesser  and  Sister  Minnie  Rogal  had  already  fallen  victims  to  the 
fever,  and  were  at  that  time  lying  in  the  Red  Cross  Hospital  at  Siboney. 
A  temporary  fever  camp  had  been  started  in  the  hills  at  the  back  of 
Siboney,  and  they  were  taken  there,  accompanied  b}'  Sisters  Isabelle 
and  Annie  both  of  whom  aftenvard  had  the  fever. 

Right  here  let  me  say  that  a  Dr.  Gray  connected  with  the  Medical 
Department  of  the  Army  has  been  quoted  in  the  papers  as  saying  that 
the  Red  Cross  was  to  blame  for  the  outbreak  of  the  yellow  fever  in 
Siboney,  inasmuch  as  that  organization  had  opened  a  hospital  in  a 
building  that  had  been  condemned,  before  any  arnu''  hospital  had  been 
opened.     It  is  only  necessary  to  say  that  the  Red  Cross   Hospital    was 


6i8  11  IK  Kl":i)  CROSS. 

not  opened  until  over  a  week  after  the  American  and  Cuban  Army 
Hospitals  had  been  opened  in  buildings  i/iaf  had  been  previously  con- 
demned by  army  officers. 

Referring  to  this  subject,  Major  Louis  A.  La  Garde,  Surgeon  U. 
S.  A.,  has  given  this  testimony: 


The  Cubans  deceived  Dr.  Pope,  as  they  had  deceived  Dr.  Guiteras,  by  telHng 
him  that  there  had  been  no  yellow  fever  in  Siboney.  Dr.  Guiteras  believed  this. 
On  one  occasion  he  told  me  that  Siboney  didn't  look  like  a  yellow  fever  locality, 
as  the  place  was  hilly  and  well  drained,  except  in  a  small  section  to  the  northeast 
of  the  town,  where  there  was  a  stream.  Dr.  Guiteras  advised  that  hospitals  be 
established  in  houses  in  Siboney,  and  he  thought  there  was  no  danger  of  infection 
because  of  such  action. 


As  I  write  this  report  the  War  Investigating  Commission  is  holding 
its  sessions,  and  the  country  is  impatiently  awaiting  its  decision  as  to 
where  the  blame  rests  for  the  many  shortcomings  that  were  developed 
during  the  Santiago  campaign,  I  have  just  been  reading  the  testimon)-- 
of  Dr.  Frank  Donaldson,  Assistant  Surgeon  of  Roosevelt's  Rough 
Riders,  in  which  he  remarks: 

' '  My  experience  is  that  the  reason  the  Rough  Riders  fared  so  well 
was  because  we  hustled  for  ourselves. ' ' 

When  Dr.  Donaldson  arrived  in  Siboney  he  immediately  came 
aboard  the  Red  Cross  steamer  and  announced  that  he  was  about  to 
join  the  Rough  Riders,  and  would  like  some  supplies  to  take  out  with 
him.  He  was  given  everything  that  he  wanted  that  we  had  in  our 
stores;  and  the  next  da}'  he  came  with  two  more  members  of  his  regi- 
ment, and  after  having  breakfast  with  us,  made  another  requisition  for 
an  increased  amount  of  good  things.  These  were  cheerfully  given  and, 
in  addition,  shoes  and  underclothing  from  the  private  wardrobes  of  the 
members  of  the  Red  Cro.ss  were  added,  to  meet  the  required  needs  that 
could  not  be  filled  otherwi.se,  owing  to  the  fact  that  these  things  were 
not  in  the  steamer's  cargo. 

I  esteem  it  a  privilege  to  be  able  to  testify  to  the  exactness  of  the 
doctor's  testimony  as  to  his  ability  and  success  as  a  "hustler,"  and 
still  more  to  be  able  to  show  7vhere\\^  "hustled,"  which  appears  to 
have  escaped  his  memory. 

A  few  days  previous  to  the  fever  scare  our  supply  of  ice,  coffee, 
fruit  and  other  needful  articles  running  short,  the  .steamer  "State  of 
Texas"   was  ordered  to  go  to  Jamaica  to  replenish  her  stores.     While 


RELIEF  WORK  IN  CUBA.  619 

in  Kingston  we  met  ni.ny  refugees  from  Santiago,  among  them  Mr. 
Louis  Brooks  and  Mr.  Robt.  Douglas,  Sr.  Both  these  gentlemen 
placed  their  residences  in  Santiago  at  the  disposal  of  Miss  Barton;  she 
accepted  that  of  Mr.  Douglas,  and  we  afterwards  spent  several  very 
happy  and  comfortable  weeks  within  its  hospitable  walls.  Mr.  Douglas 
also  offered  the  Red  Cross  the  use  of  his  warehouses  in  Santiago 
which  was  accepted,  and  we  are  indebted  to  these  gentlemen  for  many 
other  favors  and  their  kindness  is  remembered  with  gratitude  and 
pleasure. 

Relief  for  Cubans,  Guantanamo  Bay. 

Commander  McCalla  of  Guantanamo  Bay  had  already  made  calls 
upon  the  Red  Cross  for  relief  supplies  for  the  Cubans  in  that  vicinity, 
and  the  "State  of  Texas"  had  made  two  trips  there,  leaving  five 
thousand  rations  at  one  time  and  ten  thousand  at  another.  The 
commander  then  called  for  fifty  thousand  rations,  and  we  started  at 
once  to  deliver  them.  On  our  arrival  at  Playa  del  Este  the  commander 
met  us  in  his  steam  launch  as  we  were  coming  into  the  harbor,  and 
before  we  had  cast  anchor  he  demanded  to  know  if  we  had  come  from 
Siboney,  and  if  any  of  our  members  had  been  ashore  there  recently. 
Being  answered  in  the  affirmative,  he  said  that  he  could  not  expose  the 
men  of  his  fleet  to  the  risk  of  taking  yellow  fever  from  us,  and  ordered 
our  ship  to  turn  about  and  leave  at  once. 

While  we  were  lying  at  Siboney  Messrs.  Elwell  and  Warner  were 
kept  busy  with  a  crew  of  from  fifty  to  seventy-five  Cuban  soldiers,  in 
landing  supplies  from  the  steamer  ;  and  the  work  they  did  and  the 
success  they  achieved  calls  for  the  highest  praise,  for  it  was  accom- 
plished under  the  most  adverse  conditions  and  with  most  inadequate 
facilities. 

At  the  near-by  village  of  Firmeza  were  thousands  of  Cuban 
refugees  and  residents,  who  were  in  abject  need  and  many  were  sick 
and  dying.  Through  the  energetic  offorts  of  the  above  named  gentle- 
men and  Dr.  J.  B.  Hubbell  all  these  people  were  fed  and  clothed,  in 
addition  to  many  more  who  came  into  Siboney. 


Exodus  from  Santiago. 

During   the    seige    of    Santiago    General    Shafter   sent    word    to 
General   Toral,    the    Spanish  Commander,    that   unless   the   city    was 


620  THE  RED  CROSS. 

surrendered  within  twenty-four  hours,  he  should  bombard  it.  Notice 
was  given  to  the  citizens  of  that  place,  and  the  surrender  was  refused. 
An  exodus  of  non-combatants,  men,  women  and  children,  hurriedly 
took  place  ;  it  was  said  there  were  thirty  thousand  of  them,  and  they 
fled  to  the  country  to  the  north  and  east,  some  twenty  thousand  crowd- 
ing into  the  little  village  of  El  Caney  which  normally  has  not  over  five 
hundred  inhabitants. 

The  city  of  Santiago  at  that  time  was  in  a  destitute  condition, 
several  people  having  already  starved  to  death,  and  there  was  conse- 
quently little  or  no  provisions  for  the  people  to  take  away.  So  this 
vast  horde  of  hungry  wretches  overwhelmed  the  little  country  places 
that  they  come  to,  and  the  suffering  that  ensued  was  something 
frightful. 

The  officers  at  General  Shafter's  headquarters  notified  Miss  Bar- 
ton of  the  conditions  at  El  Cane)%  and  she  immediately  sent  Mr.  Elwell 
there  to  form  a  citizens'  committee  to  assist  in  distributing  the  food  that 
was  to  follow  as  quickly  as  we  could  get  transportation  to  carry  it. 
Every  horse,  mule,  vehicle  of  any  kind  that  could  be  borrowed,  begged 
or  hired,  was  impressed  into  the  service,  and  tons  of  supplies  were 
taken  there  at  the  earliest  possible  moment.  For  about  two  weeks  the 
Red  Cross  force  worked  night  and  day  in  relieving  this  place.  Mr.  C. 
C.  Bangs,  an  elderly  gentleman  from  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  who  had  been 
sent  to  the  Red  Cross  b}'  the  New  York  Cuban  Relief  Committee,  was 
given  charge  of  the  relief  supplies  at  El  Caney,  and  ne  remained  there 
until  the  surrender  of  Santiago,  when  the  city  people  returned  to  their 
homes,  faithfully  working  as  cook  and  dispenser  from  sixteen  to 
eighteen  hours  a  day.  The  hard  work,  lack  of  sl^ep,  and  poor  sani- 
tary conditions,  were  too  hard  a  strain  on  hin?  and  he  came  to  us 
at  Santiago  sick  and  very  much  broken.  He  was  attacked  by  the 
calentura  and  removed  to  a  hospital  where  in  a  few  days  he  died.  He 
was  buried  by  the  Red  Cross  in  the  Santiago  cemetery,  his  funeral 
being  attended  by  the  members  of  that  body. 


The  Relief  Expedition  Enters  Santiago. 

The  surrender  of  Santiago  having  been  arianged  to  take  place  at 
ten  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  July  17,  and  Miss  Barton  being  anxious 
to  get  to  that  city  at  the  earliest  moment,  knowing  full  well  the  terrible 
conditions  that  existed  there,  the  steamer  "State  of  Texas"  steamed 


RELIEF  WORK  IN  CUBA.  621 

down  from  Siboney  that  day  to  the  entrance  of  Santiago  Bay.  Miss 
Barton  sent  word  to  Admiral  Sampson  that  she  was  ready  to  go  in  to 
the  city  whenever  he  was  ready  to  have  her  ;  and  he  answered  that  he 
would  send  her  a  pilot  to  take  her  ship  in  as  soon  as  the  channel  was 
made  safe  by  the  removal  of  torpedos  that  had  been  planted  by  the 
Spaniards. 

Accordingl)'  about  4.30  in  the  afternoon  a  Cuban  pilot  came  aboard 
the  "  Texas  "  from  the  flagship  "New  York  "  and  we  were  soon  on 
our  way  to  Santiago,  where  we  arrived  just  before  sundown.  We  came 
to  anchor  just  off  the  main  wharf  and  Messrs.  Elwell  and  Warner  went 
ashore  to  make  arrangements  for  warehouse  room  and  to  engage  men 
to  unload  the  ship  on  the  morrow. 

Early  the  next  morning  the  "  Texas"  was  drawn  up  beside  the 
principal  wharf  and  one  hundred  Cuban  stevedores  began  the  work  of 
discharging  her.  These  poor  fellows  were  a  sorry  looking  crowd  of 
undersized  and  half  starved  men,  the  effects  of  their  long  fast  being 
plainly  visible  in  their  hollow  cheeks  and  thin  arms  and  legs.  Many 
women  and  children  were  on  the  wharf  ready  to  sweep  up  any  stray 
bits  of  meal  or  beans  that  might  escape  from  leaky  sacks  or  boxes. 

As  the  stores  came  from  the  ship  they  were  loaded  on  hand  cars 
and  rolled  to  the  land  end  of  the  wharf,  where  they  were  placed  under 
a  large  shed  and  a  guard  of  soldiers  was  placed  over  them  to  keep  back 
the  hungry  people  and  dogs  who  hung  around  like  a  pack  of  famished 
wolves. 

The  same  plan  of  distribution  that  we  had  so  successfully  piirsued 
in  Havana  was  adopted  in  Santiago,  and  with  the  aid  of  such  splendid 
men  as  Mr.  William  Ramsden,  son  of  the  English  Consul;  Mr.  Robert 
Mason,  Chinese  Consul  and  vice  British  Consul;  and  Mr.  Michelson, 
German  Vice  Consul,  we  were  soon  possessed  of  full  knowledge  of  the 
place  and  in  perfect  touch  with  its  best  people. 

General  McKibben,  the  Military  Governor  of  the  city,  and  many 
other  army  officers  and  citizens  called  on  Miss  Barton,  giving  her  a 
warm  welcome  and  offering  their  assistance  in  any  way  they  could  be  of 
service  to  her. 

A  central  committee  of  citizens  was  appointed,  to  whom  was 
deputed  the  duty  of  dividing  the  city  into  districts,  and  of  appointing 
sub-committees  of  responsible  persons  to  distribute  the  supplies  to  the 
needy.  All  applications  for  relief  from  the  sub-committees  had  to  be 
approved  by  the  general  committee,  and  then  l-ought  to  the  Red  Cross 
warehouse,  wliere  they  were  filled  in  bulk  and   sent  back  to  the  district 


622  THE  RED  CROSS. 

coinniittees  for  distribution.  In  this  way  all  confusion  was  avoided,  and 
our  headquarters  kept  conipaiatively  free  from  crowding. 

By  steady  work  and  long  hours  the  cargo  of  the  ' '  State  of  Texas  ' ' 
was  discharged,  and  she  left  on  her  return  trip  to  New  York  on  the  fifth 
day  after  her  arrival;  and  we  were  thus  left  without  any  means  of 
transportation  that  we  could  depend  upon  in  au}^  direction,  the  railroads 
being  broken,  and  there  being  none  but  government  ships  in  the 
harbor. 

The  government  not  having  many  delicacies  for  its  sick  men,  and 
such  as  it  had  being  so  hard  to  get  that  those  in  quest  of  them  could 
hardly  get  their  orders  filled  until  their  patients  had  died  or  recovered, 
it  was  only  natural  that  they  should  come  to  the  Red  Cross  when  they 
needed  anything  of  that  kind,  where  it  was  only  necessary  to  state  the 
need  and  write  a  requisition  to  be  supplied  with  anything  that  we  had 
in  stock.  That  this  privilege  was  appreciated  can  be  attested  b}^ 
hundreds  of  chaplains,  surgeons  and  officers;  and  if  it  was  abused  in 
rare  instances,  there  is  little  to  complain  of  when  it  is  remembered  how 
many  lives  were  thus  saved,  and  how  many  poor  fellows  were  made 
comfortable  and  happ}-. 

While  we  were  at  Santiago  we  were  joined  by  Mrs.  Fanny  B.  Ward 
of  Washington,  D.  C;  Miss  Annie  M.  Fowler  of  Springfield,  111.,  and 
Miss  Annie  Wheeler,  of  Alabama,  a  daughter  of  General  Joe  Wheeler, 
the  celebrated  and  much-liked  cavalry  leader.  All  of  these  ladies  did 
splendid  work  in  their  several  fields,  and  hundreds  of  soldiers  will 
gratefully  remember  their  kindly  ministrations. 

General  Shafter,  General  Wheeler,  General  McKibben,  General 
Wood,  General  Bates  and  Colonel  Roosevelt;  Admiral  Sampson, 
Admiral  Schle}^  Captain  Chadwick,  and  in  fact,  almost  every  militaiy 
and  naval  officer  with  whom  we  had  any  business  relations,  did  everj^- 
thing  they  could  for  the  Red  Cross,  and  it  is  our  proud  satisfaction  to 
feel  that  we  met  their  wishes  to  the  extent  of  our  ability,  and  that  the 
most  perfect  reciprocity  of  good  feeling  and  mutual  regard  existed 


Spanish  Hospitals  Cared  For. 

Miss  Barton  visited  all  the  Spanish  hospitals  in  Santiago  and  made 
a  thorough  inspection  and  inquiry  into  their  needs;  and  subsequently 
furnished  them  with  everything  required  that  we  had  in  our  stores. 
The  Spanish  Red  Cross   had    no    active  workers  with   the   Spanish 


RELIEF  WORK  IN  CUBA.  623 

army  in  Cuba  that  we  could  find,  and  whatever  was  done  for 
their  soldiers  by  that  organization  must  have  been  done  through  the 
officials  of  the  army.  It  was  said  that  Spain  was  well  furnished  with 
army  hospitals  at  home,  all  of  which  were  carried  on  by  the  Red  Cross; 
and  that  it  was  the  custom,  previous  to  the  breaking  out  of  the  Spanish- 
American  War,  to  send  all  invalid  soldiers  back  to  Spain  to  recover. 


Municipal  Hospitai^s  and  Free  Dispeniaries. 

The  municipal  hospitals  of  Santiago  were  also  visited  and  their 
inmates  made  happy  by  a  plentiful  supply  of  good  food  and  clean 
clothing. 

The  Red  Cross  opened  a  free  dispensary  where  Drs.  Gills,  Carbonel, 
Solloso  and  Zuniga  attended  many  hundred  of  the  sick  poor  and 
dispensed  medicine  and  delicacies  to  all  needing  them.  These  faithful 
doctors  also  visited  the  sick  in  ^heir  homes  wherever  they  could  find 
them,  and  did  a  great  deal  of  good  work. 

An  expedition  was  sent  inland  some  seventy  miles  to  Holguin, 
and  the  needs  of  all  the  intervening  communities  were  carefully  inves- 
tigated. Miss  Barton  and  several  members  of  her  staff  also  went  to 
San  lyuis,  and  made  arrangements  with  some  of  the  most  prominent 
citizens  of  that  place  to  take  charge  of  a  large  quantity  of  stores;  and 
word  was  sent  to  all  the  adjacent  country  for  forty  miles  on  each  side, 
notifying  the  people  that  all  who  were  in  need  of  help  could  receive 
supplies  by  coming  to  San  Luis. 

Dr.  Hubbell  went  to  Baracoa  and  Sagua  de  Tanamo  before  the 
Spanish  soldiers  and  the  inhabitants  of  those  places  had  learned  of 
General  Toral's  surrender;  and  he  was  obliged  to  go  in  under  a  flag  of 
truce  and  was  not  generally  believed  when  he  told  the  people  that  the 
Province  was  then  under  the  domination  of  the  Americans.  But  they 
were  in  such  straits  of  sickness  and  hunger  that  they  gladly  accepted 
the  medicine  and  food  that  he  proffered  them. 

There  was  at  both  Siboney  and  Santiago  a  great  congestion  of 
government  steamers,  causing  much  confusion  and  consequent  delay 
in  getting  commis.sary  and  quartermaster  stores  ashore.  The  govern- 
ment, of  course,  had  charge  of  everything,  including  wharves  and 
lighters;  and  as  we  weie  unable  to  command  these  facilities  several 
shipments  of  goods  sent  to  the  Red  Cross  at  Santiago  were  never 
allowed  to  land  there  and  were  returned  to  the  United  States.     They 


624  THE  RED  CROSS. 

were  not  needed,  however,  as  we  had  an  ample  supply  for  all  the 
demands  that  were  then  made  upon  us.  At  the  suggestion  of  Mr.  D. 
L.  Cobb  of  the  Red  Cross,  a  large  schooner  was  chartered  and  loaded 
with  Kennebec  ice  and  sent  to  Santiago  in  tow,  by  the  "  Ice  Auxiliary  " 
of  New  York.  Certainly  no  other  of  the  many  methods  of  relief  that 
had  been  suggested,  was  more  welcome  or  acceptable  to  the  suffering 
heroes  of  Santiago.  No  single  article  that  was  sent  to  the  soldiers  gave 
one  quarter  the  satisfaction  to  them  that  was  given  by  this  cooling  and 
comforting  necessity.  Owing  to  the  lack  of  facilities  for  landing,  as 
stated  above,  we  were  unable  to  get  the  ice  ashore  to  deliver  to  the 
hospitals;  but  as  transports,  loaded  with  sick  and  wounded  soldiers 
were  leaving  almost  daily  for  the  States,  we  notified  the  captains  of  all 
those  steamers  that  they  could  have  all  the  ice  they  might  need,  and 
as  they  could  easily  run  alongside  the  schooner  and  take  it  aboard  they 
all  availed  themselves  of  the  privilege  until  the  cargo  was  exhausted. 

When  the  schooner  that  had  brought  the  ice  to  Cuba  was  dis- 
charged, she  was  towed  alongside  the  transport  "Port  Victor,"  that 
had  on  board  some  seven  hundred  tons  of  Red  Cross  supplies,  which 
it  was  impossible  to  land,  and  they  were  taken  aboard  the  schooner 
and  subsequently  sent  to  Gibara  on  the  northern  coast. 


Distribution  of  the  Ice. 


The  following   is   summary  of  orders  (for  ice)   upon  which  the 
cargo  of  the  "  Mary  E.  Morse  "  was  delivered: 

Tons. 

August    I,  Captain  J.  H.  Dizer,  S.  S.  "Berkshire" 7 

2,  Captain  P.  H.  Hanlon,  S.  S.  "  Grand  Duchess  " 30 

I,  Captain  J.  F.  Lewis,  S.  S.  "  Mattewan  " 8 

I,  Captain  Downs,  S.  S.  "Orizaba" 10 

1,  Captaii-  Googins,  S    S.  "  Gate  City  " 15 

3,  Captain  ,  S.  S.  "  Fanita  " 5 

2,  Captain  J.  II.  Byrne,  S.  S.  "Mexico" 20 

3,  Swift  &  Co. 's  representative 50 

5,  Captain ,  S.  S.  "  OUvette  " 20 

4,  Mr.  Douglass    ....        2 

5,  Captain   ,  S.  S.  "Mattewan" 6 

I,  Captain  Mcintosh,  vS.  S.  "  Vigilancia  " 15 

5,  Captain  ,  S.  S.  "Tarpon" 10 


RELIEF  WORK  IN  CUBA.  625 

TONS. 

August   6,  Captain  rtrickley,  S.  S.  "  Port  Victor  " 50 

10,  Captain  Brickley,  S.  S.  "  Port  Victor  " 100 

8,  Captain  Paul  Konow,  S.  S.   "  Arnrum  " •  i 

9,  Captain  ,  vS.  S.  "  Grand  Dnchess  " 50 

S.  Captain  Genis  (Spanish),  S.  S.  "Alicante"       7 

9,  Captain  A.  T.  Anderson,  S.  S.  "Marie" i 

9,  Captain  J.  Hanlon,  S.  S.  "  Mortero  " 6 

9,  Captain  J.  H.  Dizer,  S.  S.  "Berkshire" 3 

5,  Captain  A.  S.  Johnston,  S.  S.  "  San  Juan  " 5 

9,  Captain  ,  S.  S.  "Olivette" 20 

9,  Captain  Charles  A.  Furlong,  S.  S.  "Catinia"    ...        15 

11,  Captains.  Layland,  S.  S.  "Mobile" 25 

11,  Captain ,  S.  S.  "Vigilancia"      5° 

12,  Captain ,  S.  S.  "Arcadia" 15 

2,  Captain  John  Evans,  S.  S.  "Specialist" 7 

13,  Captain  ,  S.  S.  "  City  of  Macon  " 10 

8,  Swift  &  Co. 's  representative 40 

I,  Captain  Kimball,  S.  S.  "Louisiana" 12 

10,  Captain  Antonio,  "  Alemani,"  "  Isla  Luzon  " 7 

13,  "Ohvette" 10 

10,  Captain  Peters,  transport  "  Miller  " 20 

16,  Captain  Aldamis,  S.  S.  "M.  D.  Villarverde  " 5 

16,  Captain  Mir,  S.  S.  "Montevideo" 10 

14,  Captain  Antonia  Jascia,  S.  8.  "Isle  Pinay  " 5 

10,  Commander  Jacobsen,  German  man-of-war,  "  Geier" 5 

16,  Captain ,  S.  S.  "  Berkshire  " 10 

15,  Captain  Bie,  S.  S.  "Sewanne" 5 

14,  Captain  Tomaso,  S.  S.  "  Latiusgui  " 12 

15,  Captain  of  S.  S.  "  Burton  " indefinite  quantity 

3,  Master  steam  lighter  "Bessie" i  piece 

3,  To  "  Miami  " 2  boat  loads 

6,   Representative  Swift  &  Co 2  cakes 

5,  Government  boat  "Sewanne" i  ton 

5,  S.  S,  "Olivette" 1,000  pounds 

10 

Cargo  of  "  Mary  E.  Morse  "  contained 79^ 

Delivery  as  per  above  schedule 722 

Charged  to  melting,  etc 7° 


After  a  five  weeks  stay  in  Santiago  it  became  apparent  that  the 
distribution  of  further  general  relief  was  unnecessary  and  inadvisable, 
as  the  more  pressing  wants  had  been  supplied,  and  the  presence  of  the 
army,  and  the  returning  commercial  and  industrial  prosperity  had 
given  employment  to  all  the  available  laborers,  who  were  now  amply 


626  THE  RED  CROSS. 

able  to  provide  for  themselves  and  their  families.  In  these  circum 
stances,  it  was  decided  to  restrict  the  distribution  henceforth  to  such 
people  as  might  be  vouched  for  by  the  various  members  of  the  commit- 
tee as  having  no  means  of  support. 


Immense  Stores  in  Santiago. 

The  Red  Cross  had  at  that  time  in  its  warehouse  at  Santiago  about 
eight  hundred  tons  of  stores,  and  the  New  York  committee  was  sending 
more  all  the  time.  The  government  warehouses  and  wharves  were 
overcrowded  with  quartermaster  and  commissary  stores,  although  the 
troops,  both  sick  and  well,  were  being  sent  North  as  fast  as  steamers 
could  be  secured  to  carry  them.  General  Wood,  the  military  governor, 
was  devoting  all  of  his  time  to  the  betterment  of  the  general  condition 
of  the  people;  and  in  addition  to  cleaning  the  streets  and  yards  and 
disinfecting  all  foul  spots,  he  was  exercising  a  general  oversight  for 
the  moral  and  physical  welfare  of  the  communit5^ 

With  all  this  great  abundance  of  provisions  and  clothing,  and  the 
small  number  of  needy  people  that  were  within  reach,  and  the  perfect 
arrangements  that  had  been  made  that  no  one  needing  relief  should  be 
overlooked,  a  longer  stay  of  the  full  Red  Cross  staff  seemed  unwise 
and  useless;  so  it  was  decided  that  we  should  go  to  some  other  field 
where  our  services  could  be  utilized  to  better  advantage.  As  a  further 
precaution,  that  there  might  be  no  possibility  of  any  needy  person  being 
overlooked.  Miss  Barton  appointed  a  committee  of  ladies,  who  should 
by  house  to  house  inspection  discover  and  report  to  the  general  com- 
mittee any  cases  of  suffering  that  might  escape  notice  otherwise. 


President  McKini^ey  Furnishes  Transportation. 

Having  heard  that  the  port  of  Havana  was  open,  it  was  natural 
that  our  party  should  be  eager  to  return  there  and  take  up  the  work 
that  we  had  been  compelled  to  relinquish  during  the  previous  spring. 
The  only  means  of  transportation  that  was  at  our  disposal  to  use  in 
reaching  Havana  was  the  schooner  "Mary  E.  Morse,"  and  as  she  had 
been  already  destined  for  another  port,  and  was  withal  so  slow  that  she 
would  not  have  served  our  requirements,  we  had  no  other  recourse  than 


ri-:lief  work  in  cub  a.  629 

to  appeal  to  the  governineut.  Miss  Barton  accordingly  telegraphed 
President  McKinley,  asking  for  the  use  of  a  transport,  and  he  promptly 
placed  at  her  disposal  the  Morgan  Line  steamer  "  Clinton,"  which  was 
then  in  the  government  service.  Within  the  following  four  days  we 
loaded  the  "  Clinton  "  with  thirty-four  mules  that  had  been  sent  to  us 
by  one  of  the  Red  Cross  auxiliar}'  committees  of  New  York,  and  about 
three  hundred  tons  of  general  stores,  which  we  hoped  would  serve  as  a 
starter  in  the  distribution  at  Havana,  other  supplies  having  been 
promised  to  meet  us  at  that  place. 

We  sailed  away  from  Santiago  on  the  afternoon  of  August  21,  and 
after  a  pleasant  voyage  we  arrived  at  Havana  on  the  morning  of  the 
twenty-fifth. 

We  learned  on  entering  the  harbor  that  we  were  as  much  in  Span- 
ish waters  as  we  had  been  during  our  previous  sojourn  in  Havana,  and 
that  there  was  no  marked  change  in  anything.  The  same  customs' 
ofl&cers  whom  we  had  known  before  the  war  boarded  our  boat,  and  we 
were  treated  with  the  old-time  courtesy,  but  there  was  no  let  up  in  the 
rigid  enforcement  of  all  the  requirements  of  the  law;  the  necessary 
clearance  papers,  manifests,  etc.,  being  demanded.  As  we  were  on  a 
government  transport,  and  carrying  a  cargo  intended  for  charitable 
distribution,  we  expected  to  be  admitted  without  hindrance  or  cere- 
mony, but  we  were  disappointed.  We  were  informed  that  we  should 
have  to  pay  full  duties  on  our  cargo,  which  amounted  to  as  much  as 
the  original  cost  of  the  goods;  and  that  as  we  had  failed  to  make  a 
specific  manifest  of  every  article  we  had  on  board  we  must  pay  a  fine 
of  five  hundred  dollars  before  we  should  be  allowed  to  land  our  cargo 
or  to  leave  the  harbor. 

Miss  Barton  called  upon  the  Governor  of  Havana,  who  received 
her  with  great  urbanity,  but  when  she  told  him  the  nature  of  her  visit 
he  insisted  that  there  was  no  need  of  aid  in  that  city,  that  there  was  no 
sufi"ering,  that  the  people  were  all  well  fed  and  had  been  all  through 
the  blockade.  This  call  was  very  courteously  returned  by  the  general 
and  staff. 

No  possible  endeavor  was  omitted  that  gave  any  hope  of  enabling 
us  to  land  our  cargo,  and  we  brought  every  influence  to  bear  that  we 
could  command.  After  a  couple  of  days  had  elapsed  one  of  the  govern- 
ment officials  came  aboard  our  ship  and  told  Miss  Barton  that  the 
Colonial  Council  had  held  a  meeting,  and  that  its  members  had  voted 
to  take  the  amount  of  money  needed  from  some  special  fund  that  was 
available  and  pay  the   duties  on  the  cargo  of  her   ship,  provided  she 


630  THE  RED  CROSS. 

would  turti  it  over  to  their  agents  to  distribute.  Findinj;  tliat  there  was 
no  likelihood  of  any  better  terms  being  offered  Miss  Barton  decided 
that  it  was  useless  to  remain  longer.  Then  again,  the  American  Evac- 
uation Commissioners  were  expected  to  arrive  in  a  few  days,  and  it 
was  thought  that  the  presence  of  this  boatload  of  Cuban  relief  might 
be  an  embarrassment  to  them  in  dealing  with  the  Spanish  commission, 
and  that  we  had  better  pay  our  fine  and  quietly  withdraw  until  such 
time  as  we  might  return  without  hindrance. 

During  our  stay  in  Havana  hundreds  of  the  best  people  of  that 
city,  including  Spaniards  and  Cubans,  came  aboard  the  "  Clinton  "  and 
assured  Miss  Barton  of  their  warmest  friendship  and  heartiest  welcome, 
and  it  is  believed  that  they  did  their  utmost  to  persuade  the  officials  to 
allow  Miss  Barton  to  resume  her  work  in  Havana.  They  told  the  most 
harrowing  stories  of  the  suffering  in  and  about  the  city,  and  they  said 
that  with  the  exception  of  some  "  soup  houses,"  w^hicli  the  government 
was  ostentatiously  supporting,  and  which  gave  out  to  the  poor,  miser- 
able sufferers  who  called  for  it  a  small  quantit}^  of  an  alleged  soup,  in 
which  there  was  not  enough  nourishment  to  keep  a  chicken  alive,  there 
was  no  other  distribution  of  food,  and  that  people  were  daily  dying  in 
the  streets.  We  knew  that  this  was  true,  as  we  all  had  seen  scores  of 
these  people  every  time  we  had  gone  ashore. 

On  September  first  we  paid  our  fine  of  five  hundred  dollars  and 
arranged  all  other  matters,  so  that  we  were  ready  to  sail  at  seven 
o'clock  that  evening,  and  with  manj^  regrets,  we  started  for  Egmont 
Key,  Florida,  where  we  knew  we  would  have  to  go  into  quarantine, 
before  entering  the  United  States. 

As  our  ship's  charter  would  expire  on  September  7  and  she  ought 
to  be  in  New  Orleans,  where  she  belonged,  on  that  date,  it  was  decided 
to  unload  her  cargo  of  goods  at  Egmont  Key,  and  have  it  transferred 
from  there  to  Tampa.  The  mules  were  to  be  left  aboard,  and  taken  to 
New  Orleans,  where  they  had  been  purchased. 

Captain  Wertsch  and  the  entire  crew  of  the  steamer  "  Clinton," 
having  exerted  themselves  to  make  all  of  our  party  comfortable  and 
happy,  and  having  succeeded  in  an  eminent  degree.  Miss  Barton  was 
pleased  to  make  acknowledgment  of  their  courtesy  in  a  letter,  a  copy 
of  which  follows. 


RELIEF  WORK  IN  CUBA.  631 

On  Board  Steamer  "  Cunton," 
En  Route  Havana  to  Egmont  Key,  September  i ,  1898. 

Capt.  p.  C.  Wertsch,  Steamer  "  Clinton  :  " 

Dear  Sir: — As  we  draw  near  the  end  of  our  voyage  on  the  steamer  "  Clinton," 
I  cannot  refrain  from  giving  expression  to  the  feeling  of  satisfaction  and  gratitude 
that  all  the  members  of  the  Red  Cross  party  entertain  for  you  and  your  crew.  If 
you  have  any  influence  with  the  gods  of  wind  and  wave,  you  must  certainly  have 
exerted  it,  for  verily  we  have  been  "sailing  o'er  summer  seas"  during  the  past 
weeks,  and  a  pleasanter  time  than  we  have  had  could  not  well  be  imagined.  It 
gives  me  great  pleasure  to  say  to  you  that  the  uniform  courtesy  and  consideration 
that  have  been  shown  our  people  and  the  general  comfort  of  the  "Clinton  "  are 
highly  appreciated.  We  congratulate  the  Morgan  Line  on  having  such  a  ship  aud 
such  a  crew. 

In  saying  good-bye,  permit  me  to  thank  you  most  heartily  for  your  many 
kindnesses  and  your  unfailing  courtesy,  and  to  wish  you  and  all  the  members  of 
your  crew  a  long  life  and  the  best  of  everything  in  it.  "* 

Sincerely  yours, 

Clara  Barton. 


Captain  Wertsch  replied  in  the  happy  manner  follovi'iug: 


On  Board  Steamer  "  Cunton," 

September  2,  1898. 
Miss  Clara  Barton,  President  American  National  Red  Cross  : 

Dear  Madam: — Your  very  kind  note,  in  which  you  commend  my  ship  and 
crew,  is  received,  and  I  have  to  return  my  most  grateful  thanks.  A  commander's 
duties  not  only  embrace  the  safe  navigation  of  his  craft,  but  the  comfort  and  happi- 
ness of  his  passengers  and  crew,  and  it  is  a  great  pleasure  to  know  that  my  efforts 
in  that  direction,  combined  with  the  propitious  conditions  of  the  elements,  have 
met  with  your  approval,  and  I  shall  always  treasure  your  approbation  as  one  of 
the  bright  spots  in  my  rather  monotonous  calling.  I  esteem  it  one  of  the  greatest 
honors  to  have  as  passenger  and  friend  one  who  has  so  distinguished  and  endeared 
herself  to  all  the  civilized  world  by  her  many  years  of  faithful  and  never-ceasing 
devotion  to  suffering  humanity,  and  it  is  my  sincere  hope  that  God  may  grant  you 
many  years  more  in  which  to  continue  your  work  of  love,  and  that  every  success 
may  crown  your  efforts.     I  have  the  honor  to  subscribe  myself, 

your  devoted  friend, 

p.  C.  Wertsch,  Captatn. 


6,^2  THE  REr3  CROSS. 

We  arrived  at  Egmont  Key  on  the  morning  of  September  3,  and 
the  party  went  into  camp  for  a  five  days'  quarantine,  which,  barring 
the  heat  and  mosquitoes,  was  rather  a  pleasant  rest  after  the  worry  and 
suspense  of  the  past  week.  Dr.  Geddings,  of  the  Marine  Hospital 
Service,  the  surgeon  in  charge  of  the  quarantine  station,  did  every- 
thing in  his  power  to  make  our  stay  agreeable,  and  he  succeeded  far 
better  than  we  had  anticipated. 

As  our  party  was  about  to  break  up,  after  a  pleasant  union  of  seven 
months,  in  which  we  had  become  like  one  family,  and  had  conceived  a 
mutual  esteem  and  regard  for  each  other,  it  seemed  fitting  that  some 
little  expression  of  good  feeling  should  be  manifested  in  a  way  that 
would  be  lasting  and  memorable.  The  following  address  to  Miss 
Barton  was  accordingly  drawn  up,  signed  by  all  the  members  present 
and  read  to  her: 

To  Miss  Clara  Barton. 

Now  that  our  work  has  ceased  for  a  time,  and  our  party  which  has  labored  so 
long  and  so  harmoniously  together,  is  returning  home,  we,  the  members  of  the 
Cuban  relief  expedition,  desire  to  express  to  you,  our  leader,  as  delicately  and 
fittingly  as  may  be,  our  unbounded  confidence  and  admiration,  and  our  sincere 
and  heartfelt  gratitude  and  love.  As  we  look  back  over  the  past  few  months,  and 
recall  the  many  scenes  of  suffering  and  death  that  we  have  witnessed,  and  remem- 
ber how  ceaselessly,  faithfully  and  tirelessly  you  have  worked,  and  how  much  you 
have  accomplished  under  the  most  unpromising  circumstances,  our  wonder  grows 
and  we  cannot  help  but  reverence  and  admire  your  wisdom,  patience  and  industry. 
No  more  trying  position  than  you  have  occupied  during  the  past  seven  months, 
could  well  be  imagined,  and  no  one  not  possessed  of  nerves  of  steel  and  of  ripest 
wisdom  and  the  rarest  judgment,  combined  with  a  purpose  as  fixed  as  the  stars 
could  have  made  the  great  success  that  you  have  made  of  the  work  we  had  in 
hand.  When  it  is  remembered  how  many  thousands  of  brave  soldiers  have  been 
saved  from  suffering  and  death  through  your  efforts,  and  how  many  starving  and 
sick  people  have  been  brought  back  to  health  and  happiness,  and  all  with  so  little 
cost  of  actual  money,  our  warmest  admiration  is  excited,  and  we  cannot  withhold 
that  praise  which  you  so  justly  deserve. 

Personally  each  of  us  wishes  to  express  his  or  her  acknowledgment  of  your 
unfailing  kindness  and  interest  in  our  comfort  and  general  welfare,  and  we  have 
to  thank  you  for  thousands  of  those  little  considerations  of  word  and  look  that  go 
so  far  to  brighlen  one's  thoughts  and  make  life  a  pleasure.  We  all  have  the 
greatest  satisfaction  in  knowing  that  all  the  work  we  were  permitted  to  do  has 
been  done  with  thoroughness  and  economy,  and  we  are  vain  enough  to  think  that 
no  one  could  have  done  more  under  the  conditions  that  existed.  We  shall  soon 
separate  and  go  our  several  ways,  and  it  will  be  with  the  deepest  sorrow  and  regret 
that  we  shall  say  good  by  to  our  leader  ;  but  throughout  life  it  will  always  be  a 
pleasure  to  call  to  mind  her  image  and  remember  all  the  happy  moments  we  have 


RELIEF  WORK  IN  CUBA.  633 

passed  with  her.  So  in  parting,  it  will  no  doubt  be  a  satisfaction  to  you  to  have 
the  assurance  that  you  hold  our  wannest  love  and  goorl  will,  and  that  at  any  time 
each  and  all  of  us  will  be  ready  to  serve  you  in  any  way  that  lies  within  our 
power  . 

A.  Von  Schelle, 
Membre  du   Comitk    Directeur  dc  la    Croix   Rouge    de   Bclgique,  Membre  de 
V Association  Nationale  de  la  Croix  Rouge  des  Etats  Unis  I'Aincrique. 

J.  B.  HuBBELL, 
General  Field  Agent  of  the  American  National  Red  Cross. 

E.   WlNFIELD  EGAN, 

Surgeon  American  National  Red  Cross. 
C.  H.  H.  CoTTRELL, 

Financial  Secretary. 
Lucy  M.  Graves, 
J.  A.  McDowell, 
Chas.  R.  G11.1.,  M.  D., 
C.  D.  C0TTREI.L, 
Annie  M.  Fowler, 
J.  K.  Elwell, 
Geo.  J.  Hassett. 


At  the  conclusion  of  this  kind  and  just  tribute  to  our  beloved 
leader  there  was  a  moment  of  profound  silence,  our  feelings  being  too 
deep  for  utterance.  At  length,  when  Miss  Barton  had  subdued  her 
emotions  sufficiently  to  speak  clearly,  she  responded  in  most  graceful 
terms,  expressing  her  warm  and  sincere  appreciation  of  the  work  per- 
formed, and  the  loyal  support  that  had  ever  been  accorded  her;  that  no 
words  could  fully  express  the  gratitude  she  felt  for  this  thoughtful 
little  memento  of  our  comradesliip,  and  she  should  prize  it  quite  as 
much  as  any  badge  or  decoration  she  had  ever  received. 

Farewells  were  said,  and  the  party  separated,  going  to  their 
several  homes;  and  so  ended  our  first  Cuban  expedition. 


Financial. 

It  is  a  very  hard  matter  to  express  in  dollars  and  cents  the  value 
of  the  relief  distributed,  as  it  was  all  donated  in  cither  material  or  money 
which  was  turned  into  material;  and  the  kinds  were  so  varied,  the 
market  value  so  fluctuating,  and  the  data  .so  scattered,  that  only  an 
approximation  can  be  ventured.  It  is  probably  underestimating  the 
amount  of  relief  stores  that   have  been  sent  to   Cuba  bv   the  Central 


634  THE  RED  CROSS. 

Cul)an  Relief  Coinniitlec  ami  the  American  National  Red  Cross  to 
place  it  at  six  thousand  tons,  approximating  in  value  half  a  million 
dollars  in  New  York.  Had  these  same  goods  been  bought  in  Cuba, 
their  cost  would  easily  have  been  doubled. 

In  estimating  the  cost  of  distribution  great  difficulties  present 
themselves,  as  large  numbers  of  laborers,  sometimes  as  many  as  two 
hundred  per  day  were  paid  in  food  taken  from  the  .stores;  but  such 
labor  can  only  be  paid  in  that  way  while  the  need  is  extreme;  and 
the  moment  the  direst  wants  are  satisfied  money  is  demanded  for  every 
service. 

We  found  a  considerable  number  of  people  who  had  once  been 
wealthy,  but  who  were  utterly  helpless  after  being  despoiled  of  their 
riches,  and  gave  up  in  despair,  and  would  have  died  without  making 
any  adequate  effort  to  save  themselves,  had  not  relief  been  brought  to 
them.  There  were,  however,  many  sterling  families  who  had  cast  their 
fortunes  with  the  revolution;  had  sacrificed  everything  for  "Cuba 
libre,"  and  were  willing  to  give  life  itself,  if  necessar}^;  these  people 
accepted  relief  reluctantly  and  sparingly,  and  with  warmest  gratitude. 

For  nearly  two  months  after  our  arrival  in  Havana  the  entire 
expenses  of  the  relief  work  were  borne  by  Miss  Barton  from  her 
private  purse.  It  is  but  just  to  state  that  when  this  fact  was  discovered, 
by  the  committee  the  money  was  refunded.  Then  the  Central  Cuban 
Relief  Committee  began  to  furnish  her  with  means  which  came  there- 
after in  abundance,  and  nothing  that  was  needed  that  money  could 
procure  was  ever  omitted.  Volunteers  for  work  were  plentiful,  but 
they  were  generally  without  experience  and  therefore  not  available. 
For  this  reason,  and  considering  the  magnitude  of  the  work  to  be 
attempted  and  the  celerit}'  with  which  it  must  be  carried  on  in  order  to 
be  effective,  it  was  necessary  to  override  a  time-honored  precedent  of 
the  Red  Cross,  and  pay  salaries  to  certain  grades  of  professional  workers 
who  could  not  be  obtained  otherwise.  It  should  be  stated  though, 
that  all  these  people  who  were  engaged  required  no  more  money  than 
was  sufficient  to  meet  the  necessities  of  those  who  were  dependent  on 
them;  and  the  few  salaries  that  were  paid  were  very  low  considering 
the  high  grade  of  ability  that  was  secured. 

The  first  funds  sent  for  our  use  were  in  drafts  payable  in  Spanish 
gold  at  Havana.  Gold  was  then  held  at  a  premium  of  about  thirty-five 
per  cent  over  Spanish  silver,  with  which  the  greater  part  of  the  ordinary 
business  of  the  country  was  carried  on. 

On  entering  Santiago  we  found  both  American  and  Spanish  money 


RELIJ"  I-   WORK  IN  CUBA.  635 

111  circulation,  and  consequently  considerable  confusion  resulted  on 
account  of  the  fluctuation  in  values,  there  being  no  established 
standard.  The  military  governor  made  an  arbitrary  ruling  that  there 
should  be  a  premium  of  one  hundred  per  cent  on  American  money 
over  Spanish  silver,  or,  in  other  words,  that  one  dollar  in  American 
money  should  be  worth  two  dollars  in  Spanish  silver.  Spanish  gold 
and  American  gold  were  on  a  par  in  ordinary  transactions  of  limited 
amounts,  but  in  large  amounts  American  gold  was  worth  a  small 
percentage  more  than  the  Spanish. 

While  we  were  in  Santiago  our  supply  of  condensed  milk  ran 
short,  owing  to  the  large  amount  that  was  used  in  the  hospitals. 
Fortunately  there  was  at  that  time  in  the  harbor  a  merchant  ship 
loaded  with  groceries  which  could  not  be  disposed  of  satisfactorily,  and 
wc  were  able  to  purchase  at  a  very  reasonable  figure  quite  a  large 
amount  of  that  greatly  needed  delicacy,  and  continue  filling  all  requisi- 
tions. 

The  following  is  a  statement  of  our  accounts  at  the  end  of  the 
expedition: 

Financial  Statement. 

Central  Cuban  Relief  Committee,  cash   .    .    . 111,296.55 

Contributions 172.93 

Exchange 236.83 

Household  Expenses |i,52i.4r 

General  Expenses 2,040.92 

Cuban  Relief  Expenses 3.699,79 

Tra  -cling  Expenses 968.22 

Telegrams 105.02 

Office  Expenses,  Stationery,  etc 22,45 

Salaries 2,541.24 

American  National  Red  Cross  Relief  Committee  Army 

Expenses 807.26 

I11.706.31       111,706.31 


The  expense  accounts  will  generally  explain  themselves  by  their 
titles,  with  a  few  exceptions  which  will  be  noted.  "Cuban  Relief 
Expenses  "  covered  all  charges  for  labor  out.side  of  that  performed  by 
our  own  party,  and  for  supplies,  etc.,  that  were  purchased  outside  of 
those  we  had  brought  from    New  York.      "American    Red   Cross 


636 


THE  RED  CROSS. 


Expenses"  included  expenses  of  nurses  and  hospitals  on  account  of 
army  work,  as  distinct  from  Cuban  relief  work;  also  the  maintenance 
of  forty  mules  that  had  been  sent  us  by  that  organization.  "  House- 
hold Expenses ' '  covered  house  rent,  servant  hire,  and  maintenance  of 
the  entire  party,  which  numbered  as  high  as  thirty  people  at  times,  and 
averaged  twenty  most  of  the  time,  making  an  average  of  less  than 
$2.50  expense  per  week  for  each  person.  "General  Expenses" 
included  work  on  hospitals  and  other  buildings  necessary  to  make 
them  habitable  and  comfortable,  and  all  other  expenses  not  properly 
chargeable  to  any  other  account. 

On  an  estimated  distribution  of  relief  supplies,  valued  at  half  a 
million  dollars,  the  cost  of  distribution,  covering  a  period  of  seven 
months,  exclusive  of  the  charter  price  for  the  steamer  "State  of 
Texas,"  amounts  to  less  than  three  per  cent  of  the  value  of  the  goods 
distributed. 


m^^-f  ,vf 


RHtUGHhS    FROM    SANTIAGO. 


RELIEF  WORK  IN  CUBA.  637 


LETTER   OF   SANTIAGO   COMMITTEE. 

Miss  Clara  Barton, 

President  of  llie  American  National  Red  Cross,  Santiago  de  Cuba: 

Madam: — The  undersigned,  who  have  had  the  honor  to  form  your 
committee  to  assist  you  in  the  distribution  of  relief  to  this  city  during 
the  permanence  in  it  of  the  Red  Cross,  desire  on  the  eve  of  your 
departure  to  "give  an  account  of  their  stewardship,"  presenting 
at  same  time  in  a  condensed  form  an  idea  of  the  work  that  has  been 
done. 

It  would  probably  be  difficult  to  cite  an  instance  in  which  a  relief 
vessel  has  arrived  so  opportunely  anywhere  as  the  steamship  "State 
of  Texas  "  arrived  in  Santiago  de  Cuba.  After  a  rigorous  blockade  of 
two  months,  during  which  stocks  of  provisions  had  run  very  low,  the 
greatest  part  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  city,  under  stress  of  threatened 
bombardment,  had  abandoned  their  homes  and  taken  refuge  in  the 
neighboring  villages.  On  their  return,  after  the  occupation  of  the  city 
by  the  American  troops,  many  of  the  citizens  found  that  during  their 
absence  their  homes  had  been  looted  and  the  small  store  of  provisions 
which  they  counted  upon  had  disappeared.  The  same  fate  had  over- 
taken many  shops,  and  the  establishments  which  had  escaped,  and 
which  anyhow  had  hardly  anything  left  to  dispose  of,  remained  closed 
for  many  days.  It  may  therefore  safely  be  said  that  the  immense 
majority  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  city  had  nothing  to  eat,  and  it  was 
at  this  moment  that  you  most  providentially  arrived  with  the  "  State 
of  Texas." 

The  organizing  of  a  system  of  relief,  and  the  discharge  of  the 
vessel  were  started  simultaneously  and  with  such  success  that  on  the 
twentieth  of  July  a  ration  of  cooked  food  was  distributed  by  means  of 
the  local  "  Cocina  Economica,"  6000  persons  being  relieved  on  that 
day,  and  9000  the  next,  the  whole  gratis  distribution  of  rations  by 
that  institution  exceeding,  in  the  three  weeks  such  distribution  lasted, 
200,000. 

By  advice  of  your  committee,  in  order  to  proceea  to  the  distribu- 
tion of  uncooked  food,  a  number  of  commissioners  were  appointed, 
each  of  whom  presented  a  detailed  list  of  the  families  that  he  agreed  to 
distribute  among,  some  of  these  lists  embracing  over  one  thousand 


638  THE  RED  CROSS. 

persons.  By  this  means  the  pressure  of  great  crowds  round  the  Red 
Cross  deposits,  which  would  have  rendered  impossible  a  prompt  and 
efficacious  distribution,  was  avoided,  and  to  the  limited  number  of 
commissioners,  who  had  agreed  to  distribute  among  the  great  number 
of  the  needy,  a  large  amount  daily  was  supplied. 

Weconsider  it  adutyand  take  a  special  pleasure  in  manifesting  our 
appreciation  of  the  efficiency  displayed  by  your  whole  staif  in  these 
days,  and  of  the  energy  with  which  they  discharged  the  vessel,  carted 
and  stored  the  cargo,  and  proceeded  with  its  distribution;  andean  only 
congratulate  them  on  the  result  of  their  labors  and  j^ourself  on  being 
at  the  head  of  such  a  well-organized  corporation. 

In  the  very  important  items  of  directing  the  relief  to  be  given  into 
proper  channels  and  keeping  it  out  of  improper  ones,  your  committee 
had  at  the  commencement  an  easy  task,  for  the  reasons  already 
explained,  the  whole  city  being  in  want,  by  simply  giving  to  all  that 
applied,  and  in  the  first  days  that  was  what  was  done,  so  much  so  that 
three-fourths,  more  or  less,  of  the  entire  community  received  some 
assistance. 

But  after  the  first  ten  days  it  began  to  be  evident  that  the  strain 
was  removing.  Cargoes  of  provisions  for  sale  had  arrived  and  were 
being  retailed.  The  government  were  employing  quite  a  number  of 
workmen  on  and  around  the  wharves  at  high  wages,  and  some  few 
workmen  were  moving  out  to  the  country.  It  behooved  then  the  com- 
mittee to  be  more  conservative  in  admitting  lists  of  applicants  for 
rations,  and  this  necessity  was  accentuated  by  complaints  which  began 
to  arise  of  the  difficulty  of  getting  people  to  work,  complaints  which 
became  general  extending  from  the  governor  of  the  city  who  could  not 
find  workmen  even  at  good  wages,  to  clean  the  streets  of  the  city,  to 
the  heads  of  households  who  found  no  one  to  cook,  serve  or  wash,  while 
such  important  minor  industries,  as  the  supplying  of  the  city  with  char- 
coal or  even  firewood,  tvere  almost  wholly  abandoned. 

Finally  the  moment  arrived  when  the  end  of  the  necessity  of  the 
permanence  of  the  Red  Cross  was  in  sight,  and,  coinciding  with  the 
raising  of  the  blockade  of  Havana  and  other  large  cities  where  want 
and  sickness  had  necessarily  to  be  more  accentuated  than  here,  made 
it  a  question  of  the  greatest  good  to  the  greatest  number,  made  its 
removal  to  the  west  end  of  the  island  a  necessity.  There  necessarily 
remained  some  poverty,  some  sickness,  and  some  misery,  but  the  public, 
and  more  especially  the  military  government,  had  taken  efficacious 
measures  to  cope  with  these  evils,  and  while  in  one  sense  deploring 
your  departure,  your  committee  could  only  coincide  with  your  views 


RELIEF  WORK  IN  CUBA.  641 

on  the  subject,  and  offer  their  conscientious  opinion  that  the  present 
state  of  affairs  in  vSantiago  de  Cuba  fully  justified  the  departure  of  the 
Red  Cross  to  districts  where  its  presence  was  much  more  urgently 
required. 

In  conclusion,  your  committee  beg  to  express  their  gratitude  for  the 
confidence  which  you  have  so  kindly  bestowed  on  them,  and  to  deplore 
tha.  owing  to  sickness  and  extreme  press  of  work,  they  have  not  been 
able  so  fully  to  assist  in  your  benevolent  undertaking  as  would  have 
been  their  ardent  desire. 

(Signed)  Robert  Mason, 


H.  MiCHAELSEN, 

Wm.  Ramsden. 


Santiago  de  Cuba. 


642  THE  RED  CROSS. 


REPORT  OF  E.  WINFIELD  EGAN,  M.  D. 

When  the  Red  Cross  was  asked  by  the  Department  of  State,  and 
the  Central  Cuban  Relief  Committee,  to  go  to  Cuba  in  charge  of  the 
relief  work  among  the  reconcentrados,  the  members  of  Miss  Bar- 
ton's personal  staff,  who  had  worked  on  other  fields,  were  called  to  join 
the  expedition.  On  the  twentieth  of  February,  while  in  my  office  in 
Boston,  a  telegram  arrived  containing  the  usual  call  to  service  in  the 
field.     Six  days  later,  I  reported  at  headquarters  in  the  city  of  Havana. 

Already  the  preliminary  work  was  in  progress.  Committees  were 
in  the  process  of  formation.  A  working  census  was  being  rapidly  taken 
and  information  collected  concerning  the  conditions  in  Havana  and  the 
cities  and  towns  of  the  interior,  upon  which  to  base  a  plan  of  operations. 

One  of  the  first  things  essential  to  a  systematic  prosecution  of  the 
work  was  a  commodious  and  convenient  warehouse.  This  privilege 
was  secured  from  the  proprietors  of  the  Almacen  de  San  Jose,  one  cf 
the  largest  bonded  warehouses  in  Havana.  Here  the  Red  Cross  sup- 
plies were  carefully  stored  and  classified,  and  from  thence  shipped  upon 
requisitions  to  all  points  reached  in  the  relief  work. 

But  the  feeding  of  the  hungry  was  not  the  only  work  of  the  Red 
Cross.  Aside  from  the  distribution  of  food  and  clothing,  hospitals  and 
asylums  were  necessary  for  the  care  of  the  sick,  and  for  the  orphan 
children.  One  of  the  first  asylums  established  was  located  in  the  Cerro, 
a  suburban  ward  of  Havana,  and  was  known  as  the  Asilo  de  Ninos. 
Here,  in  addition  to  the  usual  work  in  the  hospital  department,  out- 
patient clinics  were  instituted,  including  medical,  surgical,  gynecologi- 
cal, and,  lastly,  an  ey&  and  ear  clinic.  As  the  building  selected  for  the 
asylum  was  originally  built  for  a  family  residence,  it  was  difficult  to 
adapt  it  to  all  the  needs  of  both  an  asylum  and  a  hospital.  For  the 
last  named  clinic  a  dark  room  was  of  course  needed,  and  for  this  reason 
this  department  was  open  during  the  evenings,  from  8  to  ii  p.  m., 
when,  with  nature's  kind  co-operation,  the  necessary  obscurity  was 
always  assured.  The  nightly  attendance  averaged  about  seventy. 
Among  these  patients,  the  diseases  of  the  eye  were  generally  traceable 
to  starvation  ;  the  proportion  of  cases  for  "  refraction  "  were  compara- 
tively few. 

These  clinics  continued  at  the  asylum  until  the  United  States 
Government,  through  the  Consul-General,  advised  all  American  citizens 
to  leave  the  island. 


MEDICAL  REPORT.  643 

On  March  2,  the  leading  physicians  of  Havana  were  called  in 
council,  and  methods  of  caring  for  the  sick  of  the  city  were  discussed, 
especially  with  reference  to  the  best  plan  for  avoiding  the  creation  of 
a  pauper  element,  through  the  abuse  of  the  out-patient  clinics.  The 
plans  formulated  at  the  council  were  adopted  and  adhered  to  in  the 
prosecution  of  the  hospital  work. 

With  the  work  in  Havana  still  in  progress,  it  was  decided  to 
make  a  trip  to  the  interior.  A  special  train  was  placed  at  the  disposal 
of  the  Red  Cross  staff,  and  a  visit  was  made  to  the  principal  towns  in 
the  provinces  of  Havana,  Matanzas  and  Santa  Clara.  It  was  from  the 
information  gained  by  personal  observation  upon  this  trip,  that  Senator 
Proctor  compiled  his  famous  speech,  delivered  in  the  United  States 
Senate,  upon  the  starvation  and  distress  among  the  reconcentrados  in 
the  Western  Provinces  of  Cuba. 

At  Matanzas,  Sagua  la  Grande  and  Cienfuegos,  well-conducted  dis- 
pensaries were  already  in  existence,  but  were  almost  destitute  of  means. 
Supplies  suflBcient  for  two  months  were  immediately  ordered  forvvard 
from  the  storehouse  in  Havana,  and  these  institutions  were  left  in  good 
condition.  After  doing  what  relief  work  was  possible  at  the  time,  the 
party  returned  to  Havana. 

On  arrival  at  the  headquarters,  Miss  Barton  called  the  staff  together 
to  consider  what  action  should  be  taken  upon  the  Consul-General's 
recommendation  that  all  Americans  should  return  home.  The  entire 
staff  expressed  their  willingness  to  remain,  but  it  was  decided  to  confer 
with  Captain-General  Blanco.  The  Captain-General  stated  that  he 
would  be  glad  to  have  the  Red  Cross  remain,  and  that  so  far  as  con- 
cerned the  regulars  of  the  Spanish  army,  the  staff  and  equipment  would 
be  entirely  safe,  but  that,  owing  to  the  irregular  and  unruly  element  in 
the  army,  the  volunteers,  whose  actions  could  not  be  controlled,  he  con- 
sidered it  best  that  the  Red  Cross  should  retire  before  hostilities  began. 
General  Blanco,  however,  offered  to  be  personally  responsible  for  the 
safety  of  Miss  Barton  so  long  as  she  remained. 

On  the  ninth  of  April  the  Red  Cross  retired,  arriving  at  Port 
Tampa  on  the  "  Olivette  "  three  days  later,  and  Miss  Barton  and  staff 
took  up  temporary  quarters  at  Tampa,  awaiting  the  time  when  tne 
work  in  Cuba  might  be  again  taken  up. 

During  the  staj'  in  Tampa  the  nurses  were  daily  instructed  in  emer- 
gency field  work.  All  the  appliances  usually  considered  indispensable 
were  left  at  the  headquarters,  and  they  were  compelled  to  depend  upon 
such  conveniences  as  might  be  improvised  on  the  spot.  Stretchers  and 
splints  were  made  from  the  limbs  of  trees;  bindings  and  bandages  were 


644  THE  RED  CROSS. 

made  from  the  long  grass,  which  was  pliable  and  easily  woven.  These 
exercises  were  accompanied  by  lectures  on  discipline  in  the  field 

On  May  i,  the  entire  party  again  arrived  at  Key  West  and  joined 
the  steamship  "State  of  Texas,"  where  tlie  active  work  of  relief 
began,  our  attention  being  first  directed  to  the  refugees  in  Key  West, 
and  afterward  to  the  Spanish  prisoners  of  war  on  the  vessels  captured 
by  the  blockading  squadron.  The  crews  of  these  vessels  were,  in  many 
instances,  short  of  provisions,  and  in  some  cases  had  had  nothing  what- 
ever to  eat,  except  fish,  for  fifteen  days  or  more.  The  government 
appropriation  was  not  yet  available,  and  several  weeks  must  elapse 
before  government  rations  could  be  obtained  for  them.  At  the  request 
of  the  United  States  Marshal,  the  prisoners  were  supplied  by  the 
"State  of  Texas,"  and  were  cared  for  medically  by  the  surgeons  of  the 
Red  Cross  stafiE.     A  number  of  surgical  operations  were  performed. 

Not  only  were  the  prisoners  fed,  clothed  and  cared  for,  but  by  an 
arrangement  made  with  the  United  States  court  and  the  naval  authori- 
ties the  men  were  permitted  to  write  to  their  homes  and  friends,  the 
letters  being  left  open  and  certified  by  the  Red  Cross,  and  afterward 
forwarded  to  their  destinations,  those  for  Spain  being  transmitted 
through  the  Red  Cross  of  Portugal,  which  had  kindly  offered  to  act  as 
intermediary  for  the  transmission  of  such  communications.  Thus  the 
prisoners  were  not  only  enabled  to  write  to  their  parents  and  friends,  but 
the  Red  Cross  was  able,  by  this  means,  to  show  to  the  Spanish  people 
in  Spain  and  Cuba,  through  the  letters  from  the  captives  themselves, 
what  manner  of  treatment  they  were  receiving  as  prisoners  of  war. 
This,  it  was  hoped,  would  not  fail  to  have  its  eflfect  if  in  the  course  of 
the  hostilities  men  of  our  own  army  or  navy  should  be  captured. 

In  the  latter  part  of  May,  Miss  Barton  having  occasion  to  return 
to  Washington,  the  "State  of  Texas  "  left  Key  West  and  proceeded  to 
Port  Tampa.  There  we  lived  among  the  transports  until  the  fleet 
sailed  for  Cuba.  There  is  hardly  space  to  tell  in  detail  all  the  work 
done  on  shore  and  in  the  harbor.  The  impression  that  the  ' '  State  of 
Texas,"  with  the  insignia  of  the  Red  Cross  on  either  bow  and  on  the 
smokestacks,  was  a  hospital  ship  had  become  general  among  the  troops, 
though  she  was  really  loaded  with  medicines,  clothing  and  general 
supplies  for  the  reconcentrados  of  Cuba.  As  this  impression  pre- 
vailed, and  the  Red  Cross  was  desirous  of  assisting  our  own  men  when- 
ever necessary  and  adding  in  every  possible  way  to  their  comfort,  the 
spacious  smoking  room  on  board  the  ship  was  fitted  up  as  an  operating 
room,  and  the  purser's  room  converted  into  a  dispensary.  No  hospital 
Staff  in  any  of  our  great  institutions  could  have  been  more  proud  thao 


MEDICAL  REPORT.  645 

this  little  band  of  workers  with  their  emergency  hospital  equipment, 
and  its  outfit  of  instruments  and  appliances — unsurpassed  by  the  equip- 
ment of  many  a  first-class  hospital. 

Many  of  the  cases  treated  were  of  a  character  that  required  rest, 
quiet  and  watchful  care,  and  these  patients  were  given  rooms  on  board 
the  ship,  and  nurses  were  assigned  to  regular  duty.  The  following  is  a 
summary  of  the  cases  treated  :  cynovitis  of  knee  joint,  5;  necrosis  of 
bones  of  leg,  12;  scalds  and  burns,  29;  ear  affections  (including  one 
case  of  removal  of  the  bones  of  the  ear.  This  patient  was  chief  engineer 
of  transport  No.  7,  "The  Comal"),  14;  eye  injuries,  19;  tumors 
removed,  11;  miscellaneous,  sickness  and  minor  injuries,  197. 

On  June  17,  following  instructions  from  the  Navy  Department,  the 
"  State  of  Texas"  again  weighed  anchor  and  proceeded  to  Key  West, 
and  after  a  stay  of  two  days  continued  her  voyage  to  Cuba,  and 
anchored  in  the  bay  of  Gnantanamo,  on  the  south  shore  of  the  island, 
in  the  Province  of  Santiago,  at  sunset  July  25. 

A  quantity  of  jerked  beef  and  other  supplies  were  left  at  Gnan- 
tanamo, in  charge  of  Captain  McCalla,  for  distribution  among  the 
reconcentrados  in  the  country.  Leaving  Guantanamo  the  next  day  we 
proceeded  with  the  "  State  of  Texas  "  to  Siboney,  reaching  that  place 
the  evening  of  the  same  day. 

A  severe  engagement  was  fought  at  Aguadores,  where  the 
Spaniards  were  strongly  entrenched  and  guarding  one  of  the 
roads  leading  to  Santiago.  Our  warships  shelled  the  fortifica- 
tions and  silenced  the  batteries;  and  our  troops  made  a  gallant 
charge,  but  were  repulsed  with  heavy  loss,  and  had  to  fall  back. 
The  wounded  began  to  arrive,  some  in  ambulances,  in  army  wagons 
and  on  litters.  Those  who  were  able  walked  into  Siboney,  in  order 
to  allow  their  more  seriously  wounded  comrades  to  ride.  Major  La 
Garde,  who  was  in  charge  of  the  army  hospital  at  Siboney,  welcomed 
the  Red  Cross  surgeons  and  gave  them  quarters  and  opportunity  for 
working  side  by  side  with  the  hospital  staff  of  the  army,  and  extended 
every  courtesy  within  his  power. 

Previously,  the  services  of  the  nurses  of  the  Rc<l  Cross  \\i>rc 
tendered  to  the  surgeon  in  charge  of  the  American  hospital,  but 
the  offer  was  courteously  declined.  The  aid  of  the  Red  Cross  nurses 
was  then  offered  to  the  Cuban  hospital,  and  gratefully  accepted  by 
General  Garcia.  Under  their  direction  the  insurgent  hospital  was 
thoroughly  cleaned,  disinfected  and  put  into  excellent  order.  Their  good 
work  attracted  the  attention  of  the  American  wounded,  who  inquired 
why  the  Red  Cross  "had  deserted  them  and  gone  to  the  Cuban  army." 


646  THE  RED  CROSS. 

That  evening,  however,  the  nurses  were  called  to  the  operating 
tents  to  assist  in  the  care  of  the  American  wounded,  and  remained 
constantly  on  duty  till  all  the  injured  were  cared  for. 

Immediately  after  the  first  battle,  fought  on  July  i,  a  Red  Cross 
hospital  was  opened,  and  rapidly  filled  with  American  troops.  In  this 
hospital  the  nurses  worked  incessantly  until,  one  by  one,  worn  out  by 
overwork,  with  reduced  vitality,  they  could  no  longer  stand  the  terrible 
strain,  and  were  obliged  to  succumb  and  pay  the  debt  which  an 
exhausted  nature  demanded. 

These  young  women  were  the  first  volunteer  nurses  or  "Sisters" 
of  the  Red  Cross  who  served  in  the  war,  and  too  much  cannot  be  said 
in  praise  of  their  untiring  devotion.  Faithfully  and  constantly  they 
worked.  Nobly  and  unselfishly  they  labored,  and  their  greatest  reward 
was  the  gratitude  of  those  they  helped  to  save,  and  the  satisfaction 
of  a  duty  faithfully  performed.  The  names  of  these  nurses  were.  Sister- 
in-chief  "  Bettina,"  Sisters  Minnie  Rogal,  Anna  McCue,  Blanche 
McCorristen  and  Isabel  01m,  assisted  by  Mrs.  Trumbull  White,  of 
Chicago. 

At  daylight  on  the  morning  of  July  2  everything  was  in  readiness 
for  messengers  of  the  Red  Cross  to  proceed  to  the  front,  and  in  company 
with  Mr.  George  Kennan,  preceded  by  the  Cuban  guides,  furnished  by 
General  Garcia,  we  set  out  for  the  firing  line. 

We  reached  the  First  Division  Hospital  of  the  Fifth  Army  Corps 
about  four  in  the  afternoon,  over  a  rough,  miry  road,  fording  extensive 
lakes  of  deep  mud,  but  the  hearty  welcome  extended  by  Major  Wood 
repaid  us  for  the  hard  journey.  The  First  Division  Hospital  was 
established  some  distance  ahead  of  the  firing  lines,  and  it  was  several 
hours  before  the  lines  were  moved  beyond  the  hospital. 

Major  Wood  assigned  an  operating  table  to  the  Red  Cross.  Not  a 
light  was  permitted  to  be  shown  the  night  of  the  second  of  July,  lest 
it  should  attract  the  fire  of  the  enemy,  particularly  of  the  guerrilla 
sharpshooters  who  were  stationed  in  the  trees  about  us. 

The  operating  tables  were  moved  out  into  the  open,  and  the  opera- 
tions were  performed  by  the  light  of  the  moon.  All  through  the  night 
the  scattering  fire  continued  around  us;  generally  the  sharp  crack  of 
the  Mauser,  occasionally  the  louder  report  of  the  Springfield,  and  some- 
times  a  heavier  explosion,  as  of  a  shell  or  the  firing  of  light  artillery. 
At  daylight,  the  firing  had  ceased. 

No  pen  can  describe  the  horrors  of  that  night  and  the  silent  sufifering 
of  the  wounded.  Long  rows  of  them,  nearly  a  thousand,  lying  in  pools 
of  water  and  on  the  damp  ground,  for  the  heavy  rains  had  fallen  every 


Copyright,  1898,  by  Clara  Barton. 

STARVING  IN  THK  PLAZA. 


MEDICAL  REPORT.  649 

day.  Then,  at  night,  the  tropical  dew  fell  like  rain,  adding  to  the 
general  discomfort.  In  the  morning,  the  great  burning  .sun  came  out 
and  the  mists  began  to  rise.  Hotter  and  hotter  it  grew,  until  almo.st 
unbearable.  To  shelter  the  wounded,  palm  leaves  and  branches  of 
leafy  trees  were  placed  over  them. 

The  bravery  and  determined  resignation  manifested  by  the  men 
waiting  for  treatment,  and  in  the  hospitals  under  operation,  was  worthy 
of  comment.  Many  times,  as  the  surgeon  or  nurse  was  proffering  atten- 
tion to  a  wounded  man,  or  offering  him  water  or  nourishment,  he  would 
say,  "Oh,  give  it  to  Tom  first,  he's  worse  off  than  I  am."  This  spirit 
of  kindness  and  grim  courtesy  was  noticeable  all  through  the  cam- 
paign. 

On  our  arrival  there  was  no  food  for  the  wounded,  no  tents,  no 
blankets.  The  men  were  without  change  of  clothing,  and  in  .some 
cases  what  little  they  had  required  to  be  cut  off  on  account  of  the  char- 
acter of  the  wound. 

A  message  explaining  the  condition  of  things  at  the  front  was  sent 
back  to  Siboney,  from  General  Shafter's  headquarters,  and  immediately 
array  wagons  were  loaded  with  supplies  by  the  Red  Cross,  and  the  next 
morning  they  rolled  into  the  hospital  lines,  with  Miss  Barton  and  some 
of  her  staff,  accompanied  by  Private  Hassett,  who  had  been  detailed 
from  the  Thirty- fourth  Michigan,  all  seated  on  top  of  the  wagons, 
which  carried  food  enough  for  the  patients  in  the  hospitals  for  several 
days.  They,  too,  had  to  come  over  miry  roads  that  lead  from  the 
coast;  of  the  wheels  no  spokes  could  be  seen,  nothing  but  one  circular, 
solid  mass  of  mud,  like  great  massive  car-wheels. 

There  was  many  a  moist  eye  and  many  shouts  of  welcome  and 
surprise  as  the  train  came  into  camp.  "There's  a  woman  !  "  "It's 
the  Red  Cross  !""  My  God,  boys,  it's  Clara  Barton!'"  "Now  we'll 
get  something  to  eat!"  And  they  did.  Miss  Barton,  Mrs.  Gardner 
and  others  prepared  condensed  milk,  malted  milk  and  other  delicacies, 
and  within  an  hour  every  man  was  served  with  hot  gruel,  milk  and 
fresh  soda  biscuits.  Later  in  the  evening  well-boiled  and  seasoned 
rice,  fruit,  canned  meats  and  other  things,  including  beef  tea,  were 
passed  around.  As  the  patients  from  the  hospitals  became  convalescent, 
they  were  sent  to  the  transports  bound  for  home. 

On  July  5,  Dr.  Gardner  and  I,  after  securing  an  ambulance  and 
loading  it  with  canned  meats,  crackers,  pilot  bread,  milk,  rice  and 
other  foods  and  delicacies,  walked  beside  the  loaded  wagon,  drawn  by 
army  mules,  until  we  reached  El  Caney.  We  arrived  just  as  the 
refugees  were  coming  in  from  Santiago,  from  which  city  they  had  fled, 


650  THE  RED  CROSS. 

fearing  the  bombardment  that  was  threatened  by  the  American  forces 
around  the  place  and  the  ships  of  the  North  Atlantic  Squadron,  lying 
off  the  mouth  of  the  harbor. 

At  El  Caney  there  was  not  even  water  to  'drink,  food  was  very 
scarce.  Hundreds  of  hungry  refugees  were  coming  in.  There  were 
poor  women  with  children  in  their  arms,  and  there  were  men  with 
hands  full  of  gold  which  they  offered  for  the  food  they  could  not 
purchase. 

A  distributing  committee  was  formed  at  once,  including  Mr.  Wil- 
liam Ramsden,  son  of  the  English  consul  at  Santiago,  the  French  con- 
sul, two  Cuban  officers,  and  other  gentlemen  whose  names  I  do  not  now 
recall,  and  the  relief  of  the  refugees  began.  Following  close  behind 
this  first  ambulance  of  supplies  for  the  refugees  at  El  Caney,  came  a 
well-loaded  army  wagon  in  charge  of  Mr.  C.  C.  Bangs  of  the  Red  Cross 
staff,  who  worked  here,  as  he  always  had,  with  great  vigor.  He  fin- 
ished his  work  at  El  Caney,  superintending  the  relief  of  the  refugees 
until  they  could  return  to  their  homes,  and  then  joined  the  Red  Cross 
party  at  the  First  Division  Hospital.  Mr.  Bangs  was  always  a  hard 
and  enthusiastic  worker,  but  he  could  not  withstand  the  climate  and 
the  constant  fatigue.  He  was  at  last  taken  ill  and  never  rallied.  He 
died  and  was  buried  on  the  field,  faithful  to  the  cause  to  which  he  had 
pledged  his  service. 

On  the  evening  of  the  twelfth  of  July  Major  Wood  announced  his 
intention  of  breaking  camp  and  moving  nearer  to  Santiago.  Miss  Bar- 
ton and  staff  then  returned  to  Siboney,  reaching  that  place  after  dark 
the  following  day.  The  Signal  Corps  were  unable  to  communicate 
with  the  ships  in  the  harbor,  and  so  there  was  no  way  in  which  we 
could  join  the  "  State  of  Texas  "  that  night.  Miss  Barton  slept  in  a 
room  tendered  her  by  Postmaster  Brewer,  who  subsequently  died  at  the 
Red  Cross  hospital  of  what  the  doctors  said  was  yellow  fever. 

Dr.  Hubbell  and  I  lay  on  the  floor  outside,  and  enjoyed  the  sleep 
we  could  get,  when  we  were  not  troubled  by  a  species  of  shell  fish 
called  "land  crabs,"  which  are  perfectly  harmless,  but  have  a  body 
about  four  inches  wide,  six  inches  long  and  three  inches  thick,  with 
legs  ten  inches  long,  and,  standing  erect  on  their  legs,  they  go  up  and 
down  stairs  at  leisure.  They  always  take  the  shortest  road,  never  go 
around  anything,  but  hobble  over  every  obstruction. 

Mr.  Kennan  rolled  himself  up  at  right  angles  with  Sir  Alfred 
Paget  on  the  floor  of  the  veranda.  We  were  all  up  at  break  of  day.  A 
call  from  Captain  McCalla  for  50,000  rations  for  Guantanamo  met  with, 
an  immediate  response.     The  "  State  of  Texas"  was  dispatched,  but 


MEDICAL  REPORT.  651 

on  arriving  there  the  surgeon  in  charge  of  the  fleet  asked  if  any  of  the 
relief  party  had  been  on  shore,  and  on  being  answered  in  the  aflTirniative, 
he  refused  to  allow  the  goods  to  be  landed,  being  afraid,  as  he  said,  of 
infection.  The  vessel  returned  to  Siboney  and  there  continued  to  land 
and  store  what  was  needed  at  that  place,  preparatory  to  leaving  for 
Santiago. 

On  July  17,  the  "  State  of  Texas"  while  lying  off  Morro  Castle, 
Santiago,  at  the  entrance  to  the  harbor,  was  boarded  by  Admiral 
Sampson,  Commodore  Schley  and  Captain  Cook,  who  came  to  pay 
their  compliments  to  our  commander.  Never  was  there  an  action  more 
gallant  and  graceful  than  the  voluntary  offer  of  these  commanders  to 
allow  Miss  Barton  and  her  staff,  with  the  "  State  of  Texas  "  to  enter 
the  harbor  of  Santiago  first,  as  the  Red  Cross  and  the  relief  ship  repre- 
sented the  principle  for  which  the  war  was  waged — humanity. 

Those  on  board  will  never  forget  the  experience  of  that  afternoon 
as  the  good  ship  steamed  in,  past  the  "  Merrimac,"  past  the  sunken 
ships  of  the  once  proud  navy  of  Spain,  on  to  relieve  the  hungry  and 
despairing  people  who  crowded  to  the  wharves  to  look  at  the  ship  with 
the  insignia  of  good  will  flying  from  her  masthead.  As  the  vessel 
steamed  slowly  in,  from  her  forward  deck  floated  the  strains  of  the 
"  Doxology  "  and  "  My  Country 'Tis  of  Thee,  Sweet  Land  of  Liberty." 

The  cargo  of  the  "State  of  Texas  "  was  quickly  unloaded  and 
stored  in  spacious  warehouses,  under  the  supervision  of  Mr.  Warner, 
and  the  good  ship,  under  command  of  her  captain,  F.  A.  Young,  who 
had  grown  to  be  a  Red  Cross  man  at  heart,  accom pained  by  Mrs.  J. 
Addison  Porter  and  Sister  Blanche  McCorristen,  steamed  away  to  New 
York.  For  the  warehouses  the  Red  Cross  is  indebted  to  Dr.  Douglass, 
who  also  placed  at  our  disposition  his  residence  and  corps  of  clerks  to 
assist  in  the  work. 

A  distributing  committee  was  at  once  formed  by  Miss  Barton  and 
staff,  consisting  of  Mr.  Mason,  Mr.  Michalsen,  Mr.  Wm.  Ramsden, 
Jr.,  who  was  also  on  the  committee  at  El  Caney.  Mr.  Ramsden,  as 
chairman  of  the  committee,  gave  his  entire  time  to  the  work,  and  his 
courtesy  and  executive  ability  did  much  to  prevent  confusion  and  mis- 
understandings, and  thus  kept  the  way  smooth  for  effective  work. 
Through  the  co-operation  of  this  committee,  nearly  40,00^  people  were 
fed  and  made  comfortable  in  four  days. 

The  army  were  unable  to  get  their  provisions,  owing  to  the 
inability  of  the  Commissary  Department  to  fill  the  orders.  Two  men 
were  kept  constantly  employed  in  the  warehouse  of  the  Red  Cross 
issuing  foods,  medicines  and  delicacies  to  fill    requisitions  from   the 


652  THE  RED  CROSS. 

oflBcers  of  the  army.  To  the  soldiers  themselves  a  large  quantity  of 
food  of  all  description  was  given,  sometimes  singly,  but  where  it  was 
practical  they  were  given  as  much  as  they  had  transportation  for,  to 
provide  for  the  sick  in  their  locality. 

A  dispensary  was  opened  in  Santiago  by  the  Red  Cross,  where 
some  400  patients  were  prescribed  for  daily.  This  dispensary  was  in 
charge  of  Dr.  J.  B.  Sollosso,  the  assistant  surgeon  of  the  Red  Cross  on 
the  Cuban  field,  assisted  by  five  others.  Their  work  brought  comfort 
to  many  a  sick  soldier  and  was  a  great  credit  to  all  connected  with  it. 

At  the  Red  Cross  headquarters,  an  Out-patient  Department  was 
established  and  placed  in  charge  of  Dr.  Gill.  This  department  devel- 
oped so  rapidly  that  local  doctors  were  brought  into  the  work,  and  all 
applicants  reported  to  headquarters,  requiring  medicine  or  medical 
aid,  were  at  once  referred  to  one  of  the  visiting  staff.  Medicines  and 
instruments  for  all  were  furnished  by  the  surgeon  placed  in  charge  of 
the  Supply  Department.  In  this  department  were  treated  many  Ameri- 
can soldiers  who  had  been  stationed  away  from  their  regiments  and 
who  consequently  could  not  get  to  their  regimental  surgeons. 

When  the  Red  Cross  staff  left  on  the  transport  "  Clinton,"  bound 
for  Havana,  the  remainder  of  the  supplies  were  left  in  charge  of  Mr. 
Warner.  On  August  27  we  arrived  in  the  harbor  of  Havana.  The 
following  day  the  Civil  Governor  and  his  staff  came  on  board  the 
"  Clinton  "  to  pay  their  respects  to  Miss  Barton,  and  expressed  their 
gratitude  for  the  work  of  the  Red  Cross  among  the  reconcentrados. 

The  weather  was  very  warm,  and  with  forty  mules  between  decks 
the  situation  was  not  all  that  could  be  desired  for  a  protracted  stay  in 
a  harbor  like  Havana.  An  effort  was  made  to  land  the  cargo  of 
supplies,  but  we  were  met  wiih  a  refusal  to  allow  the  goods  to  enter 
without  payment  of  duties,  and,  because  of  some  technical  oversight  in 
clearing  the  vessel  from  Santiago,  a  fine  of  $500  was  imposed.  The 
fine  was  promptly  paid,  and  with  no  hope  of  being  able  to  land  soon, 
the  "Clinton"  was  ordered  b}''  Miss  Barton  to  weigh  anchor  and 
proceed  to  Egmont  Key,  where  we  would  go  into  quarantine  before 
proceeding  North.  The  stay  of  five  days  in  quarantine  at  the  Key 
would  not  have  been  unpleasant,  except  for  the  gnats,  mosquitoes,  sand 
fleas,  snakes  and  the  daily  storms,  which  made  it  necessary  to  call  all 
hands  at  all  hours  to  hold  down  the  tents. 

The  general  cargo  of  the  "Clinton"  was  unloaded  at  Egmont 
Key,  and  as  the  charter  of  the  vessel  expired  in  a  few  days,  she  was 
hurried  away  to  New  Orleans,  carrying  the  forty  Red  Cross  mules  in 
charge  of  Mr.  C.  H.  H.  Cottrell,  financial  secretary 


MEDICAL  REPORT.  653 

Accompanied  by  Dr.  Hubbell,  I  then  proceeded  to  Tampa  to 
arrange  for  the  shipment  of  the  general  cargo  of  the  "Clinton"  to 
that  port,  where  much  of  it  could  be  used  for  the  Cuban  refugees  at 
that  place  who  are  being  cared  for  by  the  Red  Cross.  The  supplies 
were  delivered  to  Dr.  S.  S.  Partello,  field  agent  at  that  point,  whose 
efficient  service  among  the  Cubans,  and  in  the  auxiliary  relief  work  in 
the  army  hospitals,  has  elicited  many  words  of  satisfaction  and  praise. 

A  few  days  later  Miss  Barton  and  staff,  accompanied  by  General 
Von  Schell,  of  the  Belgium  Red  Cross,  left  Tampa  for  Washington. 

Not  long  after  our  arrival,  word  came  that  the  steamer  "  City  of 
San  Antonio  "  was  loading  in  New  York  with  relief  supplies.  Mr. 
J.  K.  Elvvell  was  assigned  by  Miss  Harton  to  go  to  Cuba  witli  tliis  ship 
in  charge  of  its  cargo  and  1  in  charge  of  the  medical  and  hos[)ital 
supplies. 

On  the  arrival  of  the  ship  at  Matanzas,  the  large  warehouse 
owned  by  BrinkerhofF  &  Co. ,  was  placed  at  the  disposition  of  the  Red 
Cross.  With  the  large  lighters,  of  which  there  are  many  at  this  port, 
the  vessel  was  quickly  discharged  and  released. 

The  governor  of  Matanzas,  Senor  Eduardo  Diaz,  a  man  pre-emi- 
nently fitted  for  the  position  of  responsibility  which  he  held  under  the 
Spanish  Government,  contributed  much  of  his  time  and  means  in  fur- 
thering the  work  of  relief.  Day  and  night  he  went  about  investigating 
the  condition  of  the  people,  placed  at  our  disposal  every  facility,  and 
furnished  special  trains  when  needed.  He  was  not  only  an  able  and 
just  administrator  of  public  affairs,  but  a  humanitarian  as  well. 
Taking  him  all  in  all,  he  was  a  man  among  the  men  of  his  country. 

In  Matanzas  women  and  children  walked  the  streets  day  and  night 
begging.  I  suggested  to  the  governor  that  it  would  be  well  to  have 
all  these  poor  people  collected  in  institutions  where  they  could  be 
clothed,  fed  and  cared  for  until  they  were  able  to  care  for  them- 
selves. In  twenty-four  hours  after  the  governor's  order  was  issued, 
these  people  were  all  housed  and  being  fed  from  the  stores  of  the 
"  San  Antonio." 

At  Matanzas  we  found  a  dispensary  conducted  by  the  Firemen's 
Association.  It  was  a  model  institution,  and  here  300  to  400  little 
children  were  fed  every  day,  but  their  scanty  store  of  provisions  was 
running  out,  and  so  we  left  with  them  general  food  and  delicacies  and 
medicines  sufficient  for  three  months. 

All  places  in  the  western  provinces  were  handled  after  the  man- 
ner of  Matanzas.  Twenty-two  institutions,  including  hospitals  and 
asylums,  were  opened,  and  the  sick,  the  women  and  the  children,  for 


654  THE  RED  CROSS. 

the  first  time  in  many  months,  were  sheltered  and  made  comfortable. 
The  regeneration  of  the  hospital  at  Jovellanos  will  serve  as  an  example 
of  the  work  that  had  to  be  done  in  many  of  the  interior  towns.  The 
building  itself  manifested  signs  of  former  prosperity  and  cleanliness.  It 
was  a  stately  edifice,  after  the  Doric  style.  The  pillars  were  crumbling 
and  broken,  the  patio  was  a  pool  of  mud,  the  yard  in  the  rear  was  a 
laboratory  of  infectious  germs,  and  all  in  a  filthy  condition.  A 
Chinaman  lay  in  what  was  called  the  "  dead  house."  He  had  died  of 
starvation;  so  they  said.  The  three  coffins  which  had  been  repeatedly 
used  to  carry  the  dead  to  the  grave,  stood  up  against  the  wall.  It  was 
a  perfect  picture  of  poverty  and  filth. 

The  Chinaman  lay  on  a  slightly  inclined  board,  with  no  cloth- 
ing, covered  only  by  an  old  blanket.  Removing  the  blanket  from  his 
body  revealed  the  fact  that  the  man  was  not  dead,  but  still  breathing. 
He  was  at  once  bathed,  removed  to  a  clean  bed  and  given  light  nutri- 
ment at  intervals,  and  the  next  day  was  sitting  up  smiling  his  apprecia- 
tion, for  he  could  not  speak  English  at  all,  and  but  little  Spanish. 

The  following  day  the  coffins  that  had  done  service  for  seven 
years,  formed  the  basis  of  a  large  bonfire,  to  which  was  added  all  the 
decayed  wood  flooring,  garbage,  old  clothing  and  bedding — the  accu- 
mulation of  years.  A  band  of  workers,  about  sixty  in  number, 
carpenters,  masons,  painters,  cabinet-makers  and  representatives  of 
other  trades,  were  put  to  work  renovating  and  rebuilding.  With  only 
rations  for  paj^  these  men  deemed  it  a  privilege  to  be  permitted  to 
assist.  These  men  were  in  a  few  days  relayed  by  others,  so  that  both 
the  work  and  the  food  might  be  divided.  Great  quantities  of  lime  and 
paint  were  used,  the  building  was  raised  in  some  places,  and  in  others 
completely  rebuilt,  and  ventilators  put  in.  A  marsh  which  had  existed 
near  the  hospital  and  extending  into  the  yard,  was  drained  and  the 
dense  vegetation  removed.  The  land  around  the  building  is  now  dry 
and  clear,  and  is  used  for  laundry  purposes  and  for  sunning  the  bedding 
and  drying  the  clothing. 

After  the  building  was  repaired,  painted,  whitewashed  and  disin- 
fected, even  below  the  foundation,  new  cots  were  placed  in  the 
"Salons"  and  the  wards  arranged.  The  patients  were  brought  in 
until  the  hospital  was  filled,  the  women  and  children  being  first  cared 
for.  Thus  the  streets  were  cleared  of  all  mendicants.  The  institution 
was  then  provided  by  the  Red  Cross  with  medicines  and  general  pro- 
visions for  ithree  months,  and  a  good  supply  of  clothing  and  bedding 
furnished.  Dr.  Mena,  the  city  physician,  was  appointed  to  take  charge 
with  a  corps  of   select  assistants,  and   the  hospital   was  left  under 


MEDICAL  REPORT.  655 

the  supervision  of  the  alcalde,   or  mayor,  and  we  i)assed  on  to  other 
places  where  assistance  was  badly  needed. 

After  opening  all  the  institutions  which  our  stock  of  supplies  from 
the  "  City  of  San  Antonio  "  permitted,  we  returned  to  Havana. 

Shortly  afterward,  in  company  with  Mr.  D.  L.  Colib,  of  the  Red 
Cross,  a  final  tour  of  inspection  was  made,  and  all  the  institutions  left 
in  good  running  order.  Through  the  efforts  of  Mr.  Cobb,  assisted  by 
Dr.  Sollosso  and  others,  permission  was  obtained  from  the  Spanish 
authorities  in  Havana  to  open  a  hospital  at  Mariano,  a  suburb  .some 
seven  miles  from  the  capital.  A  Central  Committee  was  formed  in 
Havana,  and  the  women  of  the  city  interested  in  the  work.  A  large 
amount  of  money  and  supplies  were  contributed,  and  the  hospital  at 
Mariano  is  now  one  of  the  most  complete  and  practical  in  all  the 
western  provinces.  In  addition  to  the  usual  wards,  there  are  adminis- 
tration offices,  a  fine  dispensary  fully  stocked,  a  modern  kitchen,  bath 
rooms,  operating  room,  a  steam  laundry  plant  and  storerooms.  Th? 
sanitary  arrangements  are  as  perfect  as  could  be  attained  under  the 
circumstances,  and  everything  is  neat,  clean  and  orderly.  The  institu 
tion  was  established  especially  for  the  sick,  wounded  and  enfeebled  men 
who  had  served  in  the  insurgent  army,  many  of  whom  had  been  with 
out  proper  medical  attention  for  months,  with  their  old  wounds  still 
open  and  in  bad  condition. 

Over  five  hundred  have  been  treated  at  this  hospital,  out  of  which 
number  but  twenty-six  have  died,  a  remarkably  good  showing  con- 
sidering the  terrible  condition  in  which  the  patients  were  brought  from 
the  interior. 

All  the  members  of  the  American  Evacuation  Commission  were 
always  courteous  and  kind  ;  they  were  helpful  in  their  advice  and 
otherwise  assisted  the  work  in  many  ways.  To  Mr.  S.  M.  Jarvis, 
vice-president  of  the  North  American  Trust  Company,  the  fiscal  agents 
of  the  United  States  Govenmient  in  Havana,  the  Red  Cro.ss  is  indebted 
for  valuable  suggestions  and  material  aid.  The  tour  of  inspeciion 
being  completed,  I  returned  to  Havana  with  Mr.  Cobb,  ai.'d,  in 
response  to  instructions  by  cable  from  headquarters,  we  left  for  V/a.sh- 
ington  on  the  "  Mascotte  "  sailing  November  30. 


656  THE  RED  CROSS. 

CLOTHING  DEPARTMENT. 
Report  of  Miss  Annie  M.  Fowler.* 

Oil  July  26,  in  the  large  back  room  on  the  ground  floor,  and  open- 
ing out  upon  the  flagged  courtyard  of  the  warehouse,  Casa  Buena 
Santiago,  was  undertaken,  under  the  direction  of  Mrs.  Gardner,  the 
work  of  the  Department  of  Clothing,  to  sort  out  the  garments  as  to 
kind  and  quality,  and  to  re-pack  them  for  distribution  among  the 
people  of  Santiago,  and  the  outlying  districts  and  towns. 

On  August  I,  Mrs.  Gardner  returned  to  the  States,  and  the  respon- 
sibilty  of  carrying  out  the  work  so  ably  directed  by  her,  fell  upon  me. 

During  the  twenty  days  since,  until  our  departure  for  Havana  on 
the  twenty-first  of  August,  the  work  of  examining  boxes,  barrels, 
trunks  and  sacks  of  clothing,  and  keeping  a  minute  record  of  each 
case,  where  it  came  from,  b}-  whom  sent,  its  contents  and  condition, 
etc.,  has  gone  steadily  on,  taking  out  the  various  provisions  ranging 
from  canned  meats,  soups,  vegetables,  fruits  and  condensed  milk; 
flour,  corn  meal,  beans  and  various  preparations  of  cereals,  sugar,  tea, 
chocolate  and  coffee;  hams,  bacon,  salt  pork,  dried  beef  and  codfish; 
dried  fruits,  even  to  roasts  of  once  fresh  meat,  potatoes  and  eggs  packed 
in  February  and  March ;  in  varying  conditions  of  preservation  accord- 
ing to  the  dual  factors  of  kind  and  mode  of  packing. 

That  nothing  should  be  lost,  such  packages  of  meals  and  grains  as 
had  been  broken  in  transportation  and  had  become  mixed  in  the  box's 
contents,  were  put  into  barrels  to  be  sent  to  the  Public  Soup  Kitchen, 
that  worth}'^  benevolence  of  one  public-spirited  citizen  of  Santiago. 

In  the  process  of  its  repacking  for  wholesale  distribution  from  the 
various  centers,  the  department  was  able  to  give  much  individual  aid 
in  clothing  to  those  cases  whose  needs  were  made  known  to  it.  Not 
among  the  fewest  of  these  were  the  soldiers  whose  privations  and  for- 
lorn condition  would  have  to  be  actually  seen  to  be  fully  appreciated. 
The  officers,  being  unable  to  procure  the  necessary  articles  of  cloth- 
ing, food  and  medicine  for  themselves,  their  men  and  their  sick,  the 
Red  Cross  had  the  privilege  of  lending  a  hand  to  these  brave  men  who 
so  uncomplainingly  suffered  danger,  hardship,  exposure,  sickness  and 

*  Now  Baroness  von  Schelle  of  Belgium. 


CLOTHING  DEPARTMENT.  659 

death  for  their  country's  sake,  and  who  so  gratefully  appreciated  the 
least  office  done  for  them.  As  one  man  said  to  me  :  "  The  Red  Cross 
has  been  a  fairy  godmother  to  us  men." 

Could  the  story  of  these  sufferers  l>e  individualh-  told  there  would 
not  be  wanting  subject  matter  of  much  interest;  in  many  ca.ses  the 
thrilling,  tender,  or  romantic  element  stands  forth. 

Perhaps  one  of  the  most  romantic  instances  is  that  of  a  young 
American.  A  fine  specimen  of  manhood  as  he  .stood  before  me  and  quietly 
told  me  his  story,  led  on  by  my  intere.st  and  questioning:  tall,  erect, 
well-knit  and  seasoned  to  meet  emergencies;  a  refined,  open,  strong 
face,  a  well  poised  head;  one  felt  the  real  courage  in  the  man.  Over 
three  years  ago,  led  by  high  hopes  inspired  by  the  cause  of  suffering 
Cuba,  as  set  forth  in  our  land  of  free  press  agency,  and  fanned  to  a 
holy  flame  b}^  the  pen  of  a  ready  writer,  he  set  out  with  the  zeal  of  a 
ciiisader  to  plant  the  ensign  of  true  liberty.  A  handful  of  comrades 
they  were  with  hopes  high,  burning  to  do  a  righteous  deed. 

Landed  upon  Cuban  soil  at  evening,  this  little  body  of  men  was 
embraced  by  the  natives;  on  the  morrow  these  new-found  friends  had 
looted  even  the  luggage  of  their  would-be  helpers.  The  life  of  frontier 
warfare  began ;  in  combat  the  Americans  were  always  given  the  exposed 
positions  of  danger,  and  were  accordingly  picked  off  one  by  one. 

Over  a  year  ago,  the  friend  of  this  young  hero  was  dangerously 
wounded  in  the  hip.  A  Cuban  operation  was  performed;  finally  a 
piece  of  bone  has  worked  itself  out  from  the  injured  hip.  The  condi- 
tion of  the  injured  man  becoming  serious;  food,  medicines  and  cloth- 
ing growing  less;  no  possibility  of  carrying  the  injured  man  to  find 
help,  the  case  became  desperate,  and  for  his  comrade's  sake,  the  young 
warrior  started  overland  to  Santiago,  a  distance  of  some  three  hundred 
miles,  in  quest  of  aid.  He,  a  young  French  captain  and  two  servants 
made  up  the  little  caravan  for  this  journey. 

Any  one  who  has  experienced  Cuban  roads  in  the  rainy  season 
can  imagine  what  such  a  journey  means  through  woods  and  marsh, 
over  mountains  and  across  burning  plains.  That  he  was  not  to  be 
daunted  he  proved  by  safely  reaching  Santiago.  Horses  had  to  be 
discarded  and  the  journey  over  the  mountains  made  on  foot.  Tales  of 
destitution  and  suffering  he  brought  from  all  the  countr>-  through 
which  he  came.  People  were  .so  scantily  clad  that  they  could  not  come 
out  to  offer  a  glass  of  water.  Lands  laid  waste  where  the  guerilla  force 
had  swept  by  like  a  swarm  of  locusts  and  had  left  nothing  but  desola- 
tion behind.     It  was,  indeed,  a  pleasure  to  give  of  our  stores  such  as  the 


66o  THE  RED  CROSS. 

young  officer  could  venture  to  carry  upon  that  hazardous  return  journey, 
unarmed,  for  even  his  weapons  had  been  stolen,  and  his  recital  in  San- 
tiago of  his  experiences  had  caused  scowling  looks  from  under  drawn 
brows.  His  hope  was  to  get  his  wounded  comrade  home,  or  at  least 
where  surgical  aid  may  be  had  before  it  is  too  late. 

One  of  the  thrilling  tales  is  that  of  Marco  Sancho,  a  Cuban 
warrior,  who  was  brought  in  to  be  clothed.  He  had  been  in  the 
country  whither  he  had  deserted  from  the  Spanish  ranks  to  join  the 
Cubans.  While  one  of  the  Red  Cross  staff  had  been  making  an  over- 
land tour  of  this  province  he  had  discovered  the  man  and  had  told  him 
to  come  to  Santiago  for  medical  treatment.  He  came  with  a  com- 
panion. There  his  former  captain,  a  Spaniard,  discovered  him,  had 
hkn  arrested,  threatened  him  with  death  when  he  was  returned  to 
Spain.  Fortunately  the  Cuban  bethought  himself  of  the  Red  Cross 
physician  and  sent  word  to  him  of  this  peril.  At  the  jail  the  prisoner 
was  brought  out  between  two  guardsmen.  A  needless  precaution  one 
would   think  to  see  the  diminutive  form  of  the  man. 

The  Spanish  captain  was  over-confident  of  his  right  to  punish  his 
soldier.  The  thought  was  suggested  that  he,  a  prisoner  himself,  had 
no  right  to  punish  a  man,  who  by  birth  a  Cuban,  had  served  in  his 
country's  cause.  Pompously  he  could  not  see  it  until  by  the  persua- 
sion of  General  Wood's  order  to  liberate  the  man  at  once,  he  became 
servilely  humble.  Marco  Sancho  was  so  rejoiced  at  his  escape  from 
horrors  untried,  that  his  agile  little  framework  expressed  his  entire  satis- 
faction in  the  situation  by  turning  a  complete  somersault. 

The  tender  side  to  hard  soldier  life  is  not  wanting.  A  young  lieu- 
tenant, refined  yet  every  inch  a  soldier  and  a  gentleman,  with  a  some- 
thing indefinably  fine  above  the  common  lot  of  man,  brought  in  a  little 
Cuban  lad  of  eight  years.  He  had  lost  his  mother  five  years  ago,  and 
in  the  encounter  in  July  his  father  had  been  killed.  Three  officers  had 
adopted  the  boj',  and  were  about  to  take  him  North  when  they  returned. 
The  difficulty  of  introducing  a  Cuban  lad  into  our  civilization  habil- 
itated after  the  fashion  and  condition  of  his  native  land  faced  them, 
when  they  bethought  themselves  of  the  resources  of  the  Red  Cross. 
The  boy  himself  was  a  pitiful  object;  he  had  had  the  fever,  the  results 
of  which  had  left  him  with  a  partial  paralysis  in  the  hips;  he  seemed 
out  of  physical  proportion;  his  bright,  intelligent  eyes,  and  that  peculiar 
pathetic  soprano  of  the  voices  of  many  of  the  children  in  Cuba  made 
him  a  strangely  picturesque  figure.  But  the  manly  tenderness  of  the 
young   officer  as   he   did   the    little   offices   of  the  toilet  for  the  lad, 


CLOTHING  DEPAKTMKXT.  66i 

the  unconsciously  gentle  tone  of  his  voice  as  he  spoke,  the  kindly 
gleam  of  his  eye  as  it  lighted  upon  the  boy,  made  a  picture  not  to  be 
forgotten.  As  they  rolled  away  in  one  of  the  quaintly  primitive-look- 
ing Cuban  carriages,  the  front  seat  stacked  with  gifts,  the  little  fellow 
delightfully  spick  and  span,  and  confidingly  trustful  of  his  future  in 
the  hands  of  his  youthful  protector  who  sat  beside  him,  one  felt  a 
quickening  at  the  heart-strings  to  know  what  the  adopted  son  of  the 
regiment  would  become,  how  it  would  all  turn  out.  Surely,  so  far  as 
the  boy  is  concerned,  unusual  opportunities  have  opened. 

Contrasts  stand  ever  quietly  side  by  side,  telling  their  story  to  hira 
who  will  read,  perhaps  nowhere  else  more  markedly  than  here  in  Cuba, 
where  the  conditions  of  life  are  most  abnormal. 

These  few  snap-shots  at  history,  as  it  is  making  in  these  stirring 
times,  show  that  even  behind  the  closed  doors  of  a  wareroom,  where  the 
overlooking,  assorting  and  repacking  of  cases  of  garments,  which  the 
kind  hearts  of  people  at  home  have  prompted  them  to  send,  is  not  with- 
out its  human,  vital  interest.  Meanwhile  the  work  goes  steadily  on; 
as  each  case  is  repacked,  it  is  nailed  up.  A  Red  Cross  label  is  pasted 
on,  below  the  label  its  contents  are  duly  noted  in  blue  pencil,  and  the 
box  is  neatly  piled,  with  like  cases  and  barrels,  ready  to  be  sent  out  to 
the  commissioners,  the  hospitals,  orphanages,  medical  clinic,  outlying 
towns  whenever  the  call  may  come. 

Fifty-eight  barrels  and  fifty  cases  of  clothing  were  put  on  the 
' '  Clinton  "  to  be  taken  to  Havana.  A  hundred  and  eight  ca.ses  and 
barrels  have  been  distributed.  About  six  hundred  cases  are  left  in  the 
warerooms  of  Casa  Buena,  there  to  be  distributed  by  the  commis.sion  of 
ladies  who  have  consented  to  give  out  this  clothing  to  the  needy. 
Three  hundred  and  ninety-eight  cases  were  opened,  sorted  and  repacked, 
making  a  total  of  about  800  cases,  mainly  from  the  cargo  of  the  "  State 
of  Texas." 


IKE  RED  CROSS  OF  OTHER  NATIONS. 


THEIR  SYMPATHY  AND  ACTIVE  CO-OPERATION. 

is  with  feelings  of  pleasure  and  satisfaction  that  I 
record  the  fact  that  the  Red  Cross  of  the  United  States 
is,  in  its  relations  with  all  the  foreign  branches  of 
the  International  Society,  on  terms  of  mutual  confi- 
dence and  esteem;  and  that  the  utmost  cordiality  is 
maintained  through  a  constant  interchange  of  corres- 
pondence. 

During  many  years,  before  our  organization 
received  the  attention  and  official  recognition  in  this 
country  that  it  was  entitled  to,  coming  as  it  did  with  the  prestige  of 
a  splendid  record  in  Europe,  and  the  patronage  of  the  elite  of  the  Old 
World,  I  was  encouraged  and  strengthened  by  those  friends  of  many 
nations,  but  of  one  humanity,  to  hold  to  the  good  work  until  the  United 
States  should  place  itself  in  the  van  of  enlightenment  and  civilization, 
and  catch  step  in  the  grand  march  onward  to  universal  peace.  Many 
times  discouragement  and  despair  battled  with  me;  and  but  for  the 
never-ending  kindly  words  that  bade  me  strive  on,  I  fear  I  should  have 
been  inclined  to  give  up  the  fight. 

The  American  people  are  ever  so  active  and  full  of  the  work  of  the 
present,  that  it  is  a  hard  matter  to  interest  them  in  anything  that  may 
be  of  remote  utility  or  even  mercy.  Certainly,  no  other  people  have 
quicker  instincts  or  more  generous  impulses  than  the}';  and  none 
respond  with  more  alacrity  and  abundance  with  the  need  is  present. 
It  was  almost  an  impossibility  to  make  the  average  American  believe 
that  his  country  would  ever  go  to  war  again;  therefore,  why  should  he 
trouble  himself  about  war  cares  or  appliances;  there  would  be  time 
enough  to  think  about  those  things  when  war  was  threatened.  Surely 
no  one  wanted  to  fight  us.  We,  as  a  nation, attended  to  our  own  business, 
and  didn't  interfere  in  the  affairs  of  other  nations;  and  thus  were  in  no 
danger  of  getting  into  serious  trouble  with  any  one, 

C66a 


THE  RED  CROSS  OF  OTHER  NATIONS.  663 

Of  course,  the  history  of  the  world  was  all  against  any  such 
optimistic  reasoning,  but,  then,  it  was  said,  America  was  a  new  coun- 
try, and  laid  on  peaceable  lines;  its  intentions  were  good  and  honorable 
and  would  be  respected;  besides,  it  was  so  powerful  and  so  remote 
from  other  nations  that  it  was  in  no  danger  of  attack  under  any 
circumstances.  That  was  the  kind  of  argument  one  met,  when  vouch- 
safed an  opportunity  to  speak  in  behalf  of  the  Red  Cross.  Fortunately, 
though,  there  were  a  few  more  thoughtful  and  reflecting  people  who 
could  look  ahead  and  see  the  dangers;  who  knew  that,  however  care- 
fully navigated,  there  were  winds  and  tides  that  might  veer  from  her 
course  the  good  ship  of  state,  and  wreck  or  damage  her  on  the  rocks  of 
discord.  These  few  friends  rallied  to  the  support  of  the  Red  Cross,  and 
stood  by  it  through  all  the  dark  days;  and  now  that  it  has  received  its 
"  baptism  of  fire,"  and  the  gracious  acknowledgment  of  gratitude  from 
the  President  of  the  United  States,  and  the  blessings  of  thousands  upon 
thousands  of  the  citizens  and  soldiers  who  have  felt  its  beneficence,  they 
feel,  with  its  president,  that  there  is  at  least  some  truth  in  the  old  say- 
ing that  "  all  things  come  to  him  who  waits." 

The  alarm  of  war  was  all  that  was  needed  to  bring  the  American 
people  quickly  to  a  realization  of  the  necessity  for  the  services  of  the 
Red  Cross;  and  that  necessity  once  recognized,  they  gave  an  unstinted 
support  of  themselves  and  their  means.  Had  there  been  need  for  them, 
the  Red  Cross  could  easily  have  recruited  an  army  of  twenty-five  thou- 
sand from  the  flower  of  American  womanhood.  Rich  and  poor  alike 
gave  their  money  freelj^;  and  doctors  and  nurses  from  ever)'  part  of  the 
country  offered  their  services  for  no  greater  compensation  than  the 
privilege  to  serve  sufiering  humanity. 

To  our  friends  of  the  Red  Cross  in  Europe  and  in  Asia — nearly  all 
of  the  nations  of  which  contributed  liberally  to  our  needs  during  the 
late  war — we  have  no  words  that  will  adequately  express  our  apprecia- 
tion and  gratitude  for  their  timely  aid;  and  if  I  fail  to  make  proper 
acknowledgment  it  is  because  I  am  unable  to  say  all  that  wells  up  to 
ray  heart  for  utterance.  Let  it  suffice  for  me  to  say  that  the  Americans 
are  enthusiastic,  affectionate,  and  appreciative  ;  and  a  kindness  once 
shown  is  never  forgotten.  God  grant  that  other  nations  may  not  have 
to  settle  their  differences  by  an  appeal  to  arms ;  but  should  such  an 
unhappy  fate  attend  them,  I  can  say  with  certainty,  that  the  Red  Cross 
of  America  will  be  only  too  happy  to  reciprocate  the  many  kindnesses 
that  have  been  equally  shown  to  us  and  to  our  late  opponents. 

To  the  Red  Cross  of  Spain  we  extend  our  loving  hand,  with  the 
hope   that  our  two   nations  shall   never  more  be  anything   but  the 


664  THE  RED  CROSS. 

warmest  friends.  We  know  how  our  sister  society  suflfered  in  this  last 
struggle;  and  we,  who  labored  under  the  banner  of  "  humanity  and 
neutrahty  " — we,  who  could  harbor  no  animosity  for  a  brave  people 
struggling,  as  they  were,  for  what  they  believed  to  be  their  rights — 
lent  our  assistance  to  its  countrymen  wherever  we  found  them,  on  the 
fields,  or  in  the  prisons  and  hospitals;  and  it  is  our  proud  privilege  to 
say  that  the  Red  Cross  of  Spain  has  oflScially  recognized  in  a  most 
graceful  and  welcome  manner  its  high  appreciation  and  gratitude  for 
the  good  ofl5ces  we  were  able  to  render  in  the  line  of  our  duty  to  its 
sick  and  wounded  countrymen  during  the  late  war. 

Remembering  with  heartfelt  gratitude  the  munificence  of  Great 
Britain,  Germany,  Austria,  Russia,  Italy,  Switzerland,  Denmark, 
Belgium,  Holland,  Sweden,  Norway,  Greece,  Turkey  and  India,  I 
trust  it  will  not  appear  invidious  for  me  to  especially  commend  two  of 
their  sister  countries. 

The  Red  Cross  of  France,  acting  in  strict  accordance  with  the 
principle  of  neutrality,  gave  generously  and  equally  to  the  Red  Cross 
societies  of  Spain  and  the  United  States  for  the  benefit  of  the  sick  and 
wounded;  while  many  of  its  private  societies  and  citizens  sent  us 
substantial  remembrances  of  the  long-continued  friendship  that  binds 
together  the  two  countries.  To  all  these  we  .say:  "  God  bless  you;  we 
shall  not  forget." 

Soon  after  the  United  States  had  declared  war  against  Spain  I 
received  a  letter  from  the  Duke  of  Parmella,  the  President  of  the  Por- 
tuguese Red  Cross  Society,  in  which  he  tendered  the  services  of  his 
society  to  act  as  a  friendly  intermediary  between  the  societies  of  the 
belligerent  powers.  The  geographical  position  of  Portugal,  being  on 
the  border  of  Spain,  and  the  well-known  neutrality  of  her  people,  made 
her  the  natural  agency  for  this  purpose;  and  as  all  mail  facilities  between 
Spain  and  the  United  States  had  ceased,  we  gladly  availed  ourselves  of 
this  opportunity  to  communicate  with  "our  friend,  the  enemy."  Of 
course,  the  same  offer  was  tendered  to  Spain  and  accepted  by  that 
country. 

The  prime  reason  for  the  duke's  suggestion  was  his  desire  to  open 
a  way  for  the  prisoners  of  war  of  both  countries  to  inform  their  rela- 
tives and  friends  of  their  condition  and  whereabouts.  The  arrange- 
ment worked  perfectly,  and  many  anxious  hearts  were  saved  from  the 
rack  of  uncertainty;  while  others  were  informed  of  the  sad  fate  that 
had  befallen  their  loved  ones.  How  well  satisfied  our  Portuguese 
friends  are  with  the  service  that  was  rendered  is  best  told  in  the  follow- 
ing copy  of  a  letter  received  some  time  since: 


THE  RED  CROSS  OF  OTHER  NATIONS.  665 

LiSHoN,  October  12,  i8g8. 
The  j-lmerican  xWational  Red  Cross,  ll^ashin^loji,  I).  C: 

Dear  Mr.  Secretary: — We  beg  to  acknowledge  receipt  of  your  esteemed 
favor  of  the  first  October,  enclosing  three  more  letters,  the  last  to  be  returned  to 
Spain. 

Our  work  being  now  arrived  at  a  close,  we  take  advantage  of  this  opportunity 
for  presenting  to  the  American  National  Red  Cross  and  your  worthy  president  our 
earnest  thanks  for  their  kind  support  in  the  accomplishment  of  the  task  we  have 
undertaken  in  behalf  of  Spanish  prisoners  in  the  United  States  and  their  relatives 
and  friends  in  Spain. 

Again,  we  have  true  pleasure  in  acknowledging,  in  the  name  of  hundreds  of 
mothers  and  wives,  whose  sorrow  and  anxiety  were  extreme,  the  invaluable  ser- 
vices you  and  your  government  have  rendered  to  them,  in  order  to  assure  corres- 
pondence between  the  prisoners  and  their  families — a  fact  quite  new  in  the  annals 
of  war — the  benefits  of  which  are  certainly  to  be  valued  and  cherished  by  every 
sensible  heart.  For  we  must  not  conceal  that  when  we  were  determined  to  ask 
the  assent  of  the  American  and  Spanish  Governments  for  such  a  work,  through 
your  kind  mediation  and  that  of  our  friends  in  Madrid,  most  people  shook  their 
heads  incredulously,  and  while  admiring  the  spirit  that  animated  ou  •  good  wishes, 
feared  that  our  efforts  would  be  in  vain,  and  that  the  Red  Cross  would  find  itself 
hopelessly  out  of  place  in  the  unusual  position  it  was  about  to  fill.  It  is  a  consola- 
tion—indeed, amidst  such  gloom  it  is  a  transient  happiness— to  know  that  such 
was  not  the  case;  and  we  feel  happy  in  proclaiming  that  the  most  efficient  part  of 
that  work  was,  undoubtedly,  yours. 

Please  accept,  dear  sir,  my  sincere  regard  and  distinguished  consideration. 

Sincerely  yours, 

Duke  of  Palmella, 


TO  THE  CONGRESS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


The  following  address  was  prepared  to  be  read  before  a  special  meeting 
of  members  of  Congress  as  early  as  the  summer  of  1888.  The  news  of  the 
death  of  General  Sheridan  prevented  the  meeting,  and  no  other  opportunity 
having  ever  presented,  the  remarks  have  waited  all  the  intervening  years. 
What  were  the  facts  then  are  none  the  less  true  now,  either  for  the  Congress  or 
the  people,  and  I  adopt  the  usual  custom  in  such  cases,  and  ask  "  leave  to 
print." 

Gentlemen: — While  proceeding  to  lay  before  you  the  various 
measures  to  which  I  have  taken  the  liberty  of  inviting  your  honored 
consideration,  it  may  be  well  to  refresh  your  memories  in  regard  to  the 
principles  involved  in  the  subject  of  the  Red  Cross;  to  recall  how, 
under  the  treat}',  it  stands  related  to  our  government,  and  how,  through 
the  same  feature,  it  relates  us  to  other  governments. 

The  code  of  ten  articles,  forming  the  international  compact  or 
Treaty  of  Geneva,  pledges  each  nation  which  unites  with  it  to  certain 
methods  of  neutral  action  and  humanity  never  before  formally  admitted 
by  nations  at  war,  and  it  removes,  to  the  greatest  possible  extent,  all 
needless  severities  hitherto  practiced  under  their  usuages. 

This  treaty,  said  to  be  the  first  compound  treaty  ever  formed,  came 
into  existence  at  Geneva,  Switzerland,  in  1864.  It  now  includes  some 
thirty  governments.  The  first  efibrts  towards  our  own  adhesion  were 
made  withthe  Executive  Department;  but  as  it  was  thought  that  the 
text  of  the  treaty  called  for  some  changes  in  the  "  Articles  of  War," 
it  was  submitted  to  Congress,  by  which  body  the  adhesion  was  made 
in  February',  1882. 

It  ever  remains  an  undisputed  fact,  that  the  medical  department 
of  an  army  never  is,  nor  can  be,  made  adequate  to  the  needs  of  the 
sick  and  wounded  of  its  battles.  Hence  the  inevitable  suffering  of  the 
men,  the  terrible  anxiety  and  agony  of  friends  at  home,  and  the  loss  of 
countless  lives. 

The  Red  Cross  creates  an  organized,  neutral  volunteer  force,  from 
the  people,  supplied  by  the  people,  but  still  subject  to  the  regulations 
of  the  military  in  the  field,  recognized  by  and  working  in  full  accord 
with  it,  bringing  all  needed  aid  in  the  form  of  intelligent,  disciplined 
assistants,  and  abundant  supplies  to  the  direct  help  and  use  of  the 
medical  department  of  an  army,  and  with  which  department  it  works, 
as  if  belonging  to  it. 

(666) 


TO  THE  CONGRESvS  OF  TIIK  UNITED  STATES.       667 

It  created,  with  great  care,  an  Insignia  to  be  the  one  known  and 
recognized  sign  of  nentrahty  in  tlie  relief  of  the  sick  and  wounded  of 
armies,  and  in  the  protection  of  the  mihtary  hospital  service,  the  world 
over. 

This  insignia,  which  has  given  its  name  to  the  treaty,  has  become 
universally  known  and  respected.  There  is  no  other  military  hospital 
flag,  and  no  other  sign  marks  the  relief  designed  for  the  succor  of  the 
wounded  soldier,  nor  protects  from  capture  or  harm,  either  himself  or 
the  non-combatant  who  goes  to  administer.  It  is  probable  that  no  sign 
nor  figure  in  the  secular  world  is  sacred  to  so  many  eyes  as  the  Red 
Cross  of  Geneva. 

This  treaty  takes  its  powers  from  the  common  consent  of  the 
united  governments  of  the  civilized  world.  Their  rulers  sign  it.  Its 
ratifications  are  officially  made  by  the  Congress  of  Berne,  Switzerland. 
It  recognizes  no  other  features  than  the  relief  of  the  victims,  and  the 
mitigation  of  the  horrors  of  war. 

In  its  short  life  of  twenty-five  years  it  has  assumed  the  conduct  of 
the  entire  auxiliary  relief  work  of  the  armies  of  the  world.  It  has 
given  rise  to  more  valuable  inventions,  and  under  its  humane  impulses 
sanitary  science  has  made  rapid  growth. 

By  common  consent  of  the  powers,  at  the  formation  of  the  treaty, 
the  worthy  body  of  Genevese  gentlemen,  who  called  and  conducted  the 
convention,  was  formed  into  an  International  Committee,  through  which 
only  medium  the  various  nations  within  the  treaty  communicate,  and 
which  holds  the  direction  of  all  international  relief  in  time  of  war. 
Each  nation,  upon  its  accession  to  the  treaty,  is  requested  to  form  a 
national  committee,  which  committee  shall  constitute  the  medium  by 
which  the  other  governments,  through  the  International  Committee, 
may  communicate  with  its  government. 

These  national  committees  are  usually  presided  over  by  officers 
very  near  the  crown  or  high  in  authority;  as,  for  instance,  the  national 
president  of  the  Red  Cross  of  Germany  is  Count  Otto  de  Stolberg, 
who  recently  crowned  young  Emperor  William.  Of  France,  Marshal 
McMahon;  of  England,  Lord  Lindsay;  of  Belgium,  the  King  himself. 

Their  patrons  are  always  of  the  crown  or  royal  families,  as 
Empress  Augusta  of  Germany,  Victoria  of  England,  Dagmar  of  Russia, 
Marguerite  of  Italy,  and  the  Royal  Grand  Duchess  of  Baden. 

Although  the  object  of  the  organization  is  people's  help  for 
national  necessities,  its  national  branches  receive  strong  govennnental 
recognition,  and  encouragement.  Every  facility  which  can  be  is 
afforded  them,   and  the  patronage  of  the  crown    or  government  in 


668  TIIIC    RKD   CROvSS. 

W(7;/rt/r///m/ countries,  iinVike  out  own,  meajis  suds/an/ial  aid,  which  is 
afforded  in  many  waj'S. 

Each  nation  is  left  free  to  form  its  national  committee  in  accordance 
with  the  spirit  and  needs  of  its  nationaHty.  In  the  formation  of  our 
own,  it  was  thought  possible  to  include  other  relief  than  that  of  war, 
and  as  you  already  know,  America  organized  for  the  relief,  first  of  war 
then  of  other  great  national  calamities,  such  as  the  government  is 
liable  to  be  called  upon  to  aid  through  its  public  treasury. 

We  were  accepted  by  the  ratifying  powers  at  Berne,  with  this 
digression,  and  although  novel,  it  has  won  great  approval  and  is 
known  abroad  as  the  "  American  amendment." 

Under  this  civil  feature  the  American  Red  Cross  has  aided  in 
twelve  great  calamities:  one  forest  fire,  five  floods,  three  cyclones,  one 
earthquake,  one  famine  and  one  pestilence.  It  has  brought  to  the  aid 
of  the  victims  of  these  disasters,  in  money  and  material,  many  hundred 
thousands  of  dollars,  acting  as  a  systematized  and  organized  medium 
of  conveyance  and  distribution  for  the  relief  which  the  people  desired 
to  contribute.  It  has  never  yet  solicited  aid,  it  has  scarcely  suggested 
the  raising  of  relief,  but  has  endeavored  to  administer  the  relief  which 
was  raised  wisely  and  faithfully. 

*  Since  our  adhesion  to  the  treaty  two  international  conferences 
have  been  held:  the  one  at  Geneva,  by  the  International  Committee,  in 
1884;  the  other  at  Carlsruhe,  by  the  Grand  Duke  and  Grand  Duchess 
of  Baden,  in  1887. 

As  president  of  the  American  National  Red  Cross  the  honor  has 
been  accorded  me  to  represent  the  government  in  each  of  these  confer- 
ences. Some  of  the  questions  therein  discussed,  being  of  both  national 
and  international  importance,  will  be  later  submitted  for  the  considera- 
tion of  your  honorable  legislative  body. 

The  foregoing  explanations  made,  I  will,  with  your  kind  permis- 
sion, gentlemen,  venture  to  name  to  you  some  of  the  more  personal 
features,  of  our  ow?t  national  branch  of  this  world-wide  organization, 
touching  its  conditions,  positions,  relations  and  requirements,  inviting 
youf  thoughtful  consideration  to  the  same.  I  must  do  this,  not  only  as 
its  chief  executive  officer,  but  as  the  person  who  has  been  wholly 
responsible  for  our  ever  having  had  any  connection  with  it.  I  alone 
brought  this  subject  before  the  government,  as  the  official  representa- 
tive of  the  International  Committee,  asking  its  adoption  as  a  treaty, 
if  found  desirable;   and  was  shown   the  exceptional   courtesy  of  a 

*  since,  then,  however,  the  international  conferences  have  numbered  six  and  the  relief  fields 
twenty. 


TO  THE  CONGRESS  OF  THE  UNITICn  STATES.       669 

unanimous  accord  in  a  most  unfamiliar  subject,  by  the  largest,  and, 
as  I  hold,  the  highest  legislative  body  in  the  worid. 

During  the  intervening  seven  years,  I  have  done  my  best  and  my 
utmost  to  properly  test  the  value  of  the  obligation  taken,  and  to  learn, 
from  actual  and  practical  experience,  if  the  results  would  warrant  a 
continuance  of  effort  on  the  part  of  the  national  committee,  and  to 
some  extent  the  encouragement  and  active  co- operation  of  our  govern- 
ment, without  which  the  objects  of  the  treaty  would  be  misapplied,  and 
its  results  practically  lost. 

These  eflforts  have  been  made  in  the  face  of  the  open  world.  No 
action  has  been  covered,  none  exaggerated.  On  its  own  fair  merits, 
the  American  branch  of  the  Red  Cross  stands  before  the  government 
and  the  people  it  has  served  for  their  judgment. 

If  it  has  been  an  idle  body  ? 

If  a  parasite,  drawing  sustenance  from  others  ? 

If  it  has  promised  and  not  performed  ? 

If  its  work  has  been  actual,  or  merely  appeared  upon  paper  ? 

If  it  has  found  favor  with  the  people  it  has  gone  to  aid  ? 

If  it  has  gained  or  lost  in  public  estimation  ? 

If  in  any  way  it  has  disappointed  the  expectations  of  the  country 
or  the  people  ? 

If  it  has  given  cause  to  the  government  to  regret  its  admission  ? 

If  it  has  sustained  its  national  standing  in  good  repute  with  the 
afl&liating  nations  of  the  world  ? 

If  it  has  been  a  costly  adjunct  to  the  government  ? 

Like  a  gleaner  it  brings  in  its  sheaves  at  the  end  of  its  Seven  years 
of  faithful  trial,  and  asks  that  its  work  be  judged.  If  for  any  cause, 
the  organization  be  looked  upon  as  not  meriting  or  justifying  encour- 
agement and  co-operation  of  the  government,  which  its  peculiar  relations 
to  it  demand,  and  it  is  thought  wisest  or  best  to  withhold  them,  it  will 
be  a  simple  and  perhaps  welcome  thing  to  let  po  and  rest.  Unless  one 
is  actually  going  down  hill  with  a  load,  it  is  a.ways  easier  to  stop  than 
to  go  on.     In  this  case  vastly  so. 

It  is  now  thirteen  years  ago,  during  the  administration  of  President 
Hayes,  that  I  first  brought  this  matter  to  the  attention  of  our  govern- 
ment, believing  it  to  be,  perhaps,  the  work  of  a  month.  From  that 
day  to  this,  I  have  found  time  for  nothing  else.  I  learned  that  its 
broad  humanities  were  the  belt  that  spanned  the  world.  Dependent,  as 
it  is,  upon  the  co-operation  of  the  government,  being  substantially  a 
link  between  it  and  the  people  at  large,  I  should  not  have  been  justified 
iu  proceeding  to  organize  gre?*^ '  s)dies  of  persons  under  its  regulations, 


670  THE    RED   CROSS. 

until  I  was  assured  what  position  the  government  would  take  in  regard 
to  it.  I  could  not  ask  this  decision  of  the  government  until  actual 
results  had  proven  to  it,  and  to  myself  as  well,  that  the  position  required 
was  one  worthy  to  be  taken.  Thus  the  trial  has  been  made  single 
handed.  Not  a  penny  of  tax  nor  dues  has  ever  been  asked  for  the 
expenses  of  the  National  Red  Cross. 

The  general  impression  prevails  that  it  is  actively  a  branch  of  the 
government,  and  of  course,  provided  for  by  it.  This  impression  has, 
pecuniarily,  been  heavily  against  us,  as  it  enters  no  philanthropic  mind 
to  extend  a  generosity  to  the  Red  Cross,  any  more  than  to  the  War,  or 
State,  or  Navy  Departments,  or  any  other  branch  of  protected  govern- 
ment service.  No  freight  bill  on  shipments  has  ever  been  remitted,  nor 
agent  ever  passed  free  over  a  road  up  to  this  time;  and  no  bequest  has 
ever  been  made  to  it.     Postage  is  not  even  paid. 

The  government  is  supposed  to  do  all  these  things,  and  it  is  gener- 
ally believed  that  its  oflEicers  have  large  salaries.  In  one  way  this 
impression  has  been  helpful.  It  has  doubtless  given  prestige;  but  it  is 
a  costly  luxury,  and  not  to  be  forever  afforded. 

The  actual  expenses  of  the  government  since  the  first,  have  been 
as  follows:  an  appropriation  in  18S3  of  one  thousand  dollars,  expended 
in  government  printing  of  a  little  pamphlet  history  of  the  Red  Cross, 
written  by  me,  at  the  request  of  the  Senate  committee,  for  circulation 
after  the  adoption  of  the  treaty — two  thousand  copies.  As  neither 
frank  nor  postage  were  provided  for  the  mailing,  the  transmission  of  each 
copy  cost  some  ten  cents.  The  issue  is  exhausted.  Appropriations  of 
$1000  and  $2000  respectively  for  expenses  of  governmental  delegates 
to  the  International  Conferences  of  1884  and  1887,  held  at  Geneva  and 
Carlsruhe,  the  delegates  giving  their  time  and  services,  and  meeting 
all  costs,  excepting  those  actually  incurred  en  route,  and  provable  by 
vouchers.  Thus  making  an  aggregate  of  six  thousand  dollars  in  eight 
years  expended  in  its  own  behalf,  with  as  much  in  value,  in  each 
instance,  added  by  the  committee,  as  otherwise  appropriated.  These 
are  the  only  demands  ever  made  upon  the  government.  This  balances 
our  accounts  to  date. 

We  now  reach  a  point  where  I  may  name  some  directions  in  which 
the  government  rnight  properly  extend  its  protecting  and  its  helping 
hand.  The  International  Committee  of  Geneva  makes  the  National 
Committee  of  America  the  recognized  medium  of  communication  with 
our  government.  It  sends  its  official  communications  to  the  president 
of  the  American  National  Red  Cross,  with  directions  that  this  officer 
present  the  same  to  our  government,  and  duly  transact  the  required 


TO  THE  CONGRESS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.       671 

business.  But  unfortunately,  there  is  opened  no  legalized  medium 
through  which  the  Red  Cross  is  expected  to  confer  with  the  govern- 
ment, through  either  its  executive  or  its  legislative  branches.  "  What 
is  everybody's  business  is  nobody's  business."  The  entire  system  has 
each  time  to  be  explained  to  busy  men,  precedents  to  be  found,  and, 
however  willing  and  anxious,  no  one  can  be  quite  certain  if  he  is  right. 
The  naming  of  two  or  three  gentlemen  from  your  own  honorable  body 
to  act  permanently  as  a  committee  on  the  affairs  of  the  Red  Cross 
would  remedy  all  this,  and  render  ;:imple  and  efficient  what  is  now 
complicated  and  awkward.  It  would  then  be  somebody's  business. 
The  subject  would  be  understood,  the  needs  comprehended,  suitable 
advantages  taken,  mistakes  avoided,  time  saved,  prestige  given  both  at 
home  and  abroad,  and  the  unavoidable  communications  between  the 
committee  and  government  officials  come  to  be  regarded  as  legitimate 
business,  and  not  as  favors  personally  sought  and  graciously  listened  to. 

I  regard  the  appointment  of  this  committee  as  a  most  important 
step,  if  anj'  steps  are  to  be  taken — perhaps  indispensable,  in  view  of 
certain  measures  which  must  come  officially  before  Congress. 

At  the  last  two  International  Conferences  resolutions  were  passea 
requesting  that  each  government  within  the  treaty  take  firm  measures 
for  the  protection  of  the  international  insignia  of  the  Red  Cross,  from 
misuse  and  abuse  by  unauthorized  persons  and  parties,  as  methods  of 
popular  advertising  for  speculation  and  gain.  The  patent  office  is 
besieged  by  applicants  demanding  the  Red  Cross  for  trademarks. 

It  becomes  our  duty  on  behalf  of  these  conferences  to  present  these 
resolutions  to  the  government,  together  with  the  statements  of  the 
various  countries  through  their  delegates,  and  to  ask  its  consideration, 
and  its  official  action,  in  common  with  that  of  other  nations.  Our  duty 
to  the  government  demands  this  as  well. 

The  great  query  which  confronts  us,  and  often  with  a  tinge  of 
seeming  reproach,  is:  "  Why  is  so  little  known  of  your  organization  ? 
Why  is  it  not  written  up,  and  circulated  among  the  people  for  general 
information?  Even  the  army  knows  nothing  of  it.  Where  shall  we 
find  something  published  about  it?"  And  these  inquiries  come  from 
the  officers  of  the  Regular  Army,  the  National  Guard,  the  Grand 
Army,  and  the  medical  fraternity  in  general,  not  to  mention  the  people 
at  large. 

There  is  probably  no  one  in  the  land  who  would  more  gladly  see 
these  questions  favorably  met,  and  the  information  go  out,  than  the 
parties  supposed  to  be  responsible  for  this  dereliction.  It  has  some- 
times occurred  to  me  that  a   little    "dangerous   surplus"   might   be 


672  THE   RED   CROSS. 

safely  disposed  of  in  that  way  without  compromising  any  leading 
issues. 

Governmental  bureaus,  with  full  powers,  have  been  commenced 
requiring  less  of  actual  labor,  method,  skill,  clerical  ability,  and 
official  expenses  than  are  expected  and  provided  yearly  at  the  private 
headquarters  of  the  American  National  Red  Cross,  and  with  less  of 
general  demand  for  them,  and  smaller  visible  results. 

Fortunately  its  president  has  been  always  able  to  furnish  space  for 
the  Red  Cross  headquarters  in  her  home,  and  as  it  was  her  child,  she 
has  naturally  and  willingly  provided  for  it.  But,  gentlemen,  children 
grow  !  In  no  other  country  does  the  organization  of  the  Red  Cross  stand 
as  an  ordinary  benevolent  society.  In  all  others  its  relation  to  the 
government  is  defined,  pronounced,  and  its  prestige  assured.  This  is 
wise  and  just,  and  only  this  can  make  it  of  greatest  service  to  the  gov- 
ernment and  to  the  people. 

It  is  a  peculiar  institution,  without  nationality,  race,  creed  or  sect, 
embracing  the  entire  world  in  its  humanizing  bond  of  brotherhood, 
without  arbitrary  laws  or  rules,  and  yet  stronger  than  armies,  and 
higher  than  thrones. 

I  desire  to  have  it  better  comprehended  and  more  fittingly  appointed 
in  our  great  and  advancing  country.  I  would  like  to  see  for  it  a  head- 
quarters which,  in  point  of  activity,  would  be  a  national  honor  to  us. 
The  Red  Cross  of  America  should  successfully  undertake  some  difficult 
problems.  Hospital  and  emergency  work  naturally  fall  to  it.  It  has 
come  to  be  the  first  thought  of  by  any  community  suddenly  overtaken 
by  disaster. 

With  all  our  misdirected,  criminal  and  incendiary  immigration, 
which  nothing  seems  to  hinder,  with  our  dangerous  foreign  leaders  and 
teachers,  our  strikes,  mobs  and  dynamite,  who  can  foresee  the  moment 
when  the  United  States  flag  shall  be  called  to  make  peace  and  hold  it  ? 
And  wherever  that  symbol  goes,  the  Red  Cross  must  follow,  and  only 
one  step  in  the  rear.  The  first  man  who  falls  must  see  it  on  the  arm 
that  raises  him,  and  the  last  must  know  it  has  not  left  him.  The 
National  Red  Cross  of  America  is  not  without  possibilities  for  occupa- 
tion, and  these  neither  theoretical  nor  sentimental. 

Gentlemen,  there  are  some  points  in  reference  to  which  I  desire  to 
guard  against  misapprehension  on  your  part.  Of  all  things,  I  would  not 
have  you  get  the  impression  that  I  desire  to  foist  the  Red  Cross  upon 
the  government  for  support.  That,  because  I  say  it  is  liable  to  equal  a 
government  bureau  in  point  of  work  and  care,  I  desire  to  have  it 
made  a  government  bureau.     Nothing  is  more  impossible.     I  would 


TO  THE  CONGRESS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATRS.       673 

not  have  you  feel  that  we  have  carried  it  to  a  certain  extent,  and  now 
want  the  government  to  take  it  up.  These  things  could  not  l)e;  it 
would  at  once  defeat  the  very  objects  of  tlie  organization,  wliich  mean 
people' s  help  for  7iational  needs,  not  national  help  for  people's  necessities. 
Still,  there  is  a  certain  fitting  and  customary  connection  between  the 
two,  which  it  is  proper  to  recognize.  Certain  protection  of  the  rights 
and  welfare  of  the  organization,  which  it  is  suitable  and  for  the  interest 
of  the  government  to  maintain,  as,  for  instance,  the  protection  of  the 
insignia.  Its  acts  of  incorporation — some  aid  in  the  circulation  of 
information  respecting  it,  its  charters,  etc.,  through  its  official  printing 
bureaus,  and  some  direct  channel  of  communication,  and  advice 
opened  between  the  government  and  the  organization,  as  customary 
in  other  countries,  and  without  which  I  think  we  cannot  reasonably 
hope  to  stand  upon  a  respectable  basis  in  their  estimation. 

If  Germany  can  place  Count  Stolberg,  one  of  its  highest  official 
dignitaries  and  officers,  at  the  active  head  of  its  Red  Cross,  we  can 
scarcely  do  less  than  to  permit  a  small  advisory  committee  of  our  legis- 
lature to  at  least  confer  with  ours. 

These  are  all  very  small  and  inexpensive  demands  upon  a  govern- 
ment like  ours,  and  from  their  apparent  unimportance,  likely  to  remain 
unconsidered.  Still,  they  are  important  to  the  work  that  seeks  them. 
With  these  assured,  the  National  Committee  can  safely  permit  the  peo- 
ple to  take  their  place  in  the  work,  and  if  the  time  never  comes  when 
the  country  has  need  of  the  help  for  which  they  organize,  it  will  be 
only  a  too  fortunate  land. 

The  part  which  I  have  thus  far  been  privileged  to  take  in  this 
work  has  but  one  merit.  It  has  been  faithful,  and  I  believe,  unselfish. 
With  better  judgment,  greater  strength,  wealth,  power  and  prestige,  or 
the  ready  help  of  those  who  had,  I  might  have  accomplished  more.  I 
have  nothing  to  gain  from  it,  and  never  have  had.  I  have  no  ambi- 
tions to  serve,  and  certainly  no  purposes.  I  regret  only  the  years  which 
have  gone  by  in  feeble,  unaided  effort,  which,  I  feel,  with  stronger 
help,  might  have  been  more  serviceable. 

All  I  am  worth  to  it  to-day  is  the  experience  I  have  gained.  I 
have  no  more  time  for  trials,  nor  proof,  and  of  these,  no  more  are 
needed.  The  facts  are  established.  I  have  stated  what  is  needed  of 
the  government,  before  it  can  go  on,  and  I  ask  your  kind  consideration 
of  the  same. 


074  THE   RED   CROSS. 


TO  THE  COMMITTEES  OF  THE  RED  CROSS. 


An    Acknowledgment. 

To  our  tireless  Executive  Committee,  and  to  the  great  and  ener- 
getic Red  Cross  Relief  Committee  of  New  York,  who  undertook  the 
concentration  of  the  war  relief  and  the  administration  of  the  generous 
gifts  of  the  people,  and  who  have  so  faithfully  stood  by  me  in  the  work 
dt.ring  all  these  months,  no  words  can  adequately  express  my  grati- 
tude and  the  appreciation  of  the  National  Committee. 

For  them  no  task  was  too  great;  no  requisition  was  ever  refused. 
To  their  zealous  labors  is  due,  in  a  great  measure,  whatever  succesj^ 
may  have  attended  the  Red  Cross  in  its  mission  for  the  relief  of  tb» 
sick  and  the  wounded. 


TO  THE  AUXILIARIES  OF  THE  RED  CROSS 

AND 

THE  NURSES  WHO  WENT  TO  THE  WAR. 

To  the  army  of  women,  brave,  generous  and  true,  who  either  as 
auxiliaries  at  home,  or  as  nurses  at  the  field,  who  made  up  that  mag- 
nificent array  of  womanhood,  ready  for  sacrifice  on  the  altar  of 
humanity  and  their  country — no  words  of  mine  can  do  justice.  The 
monument  deserved  and  traced  in  that  glowing  pen  picture  of  the 
melting  tribute  of  another  pen,  I  beg  to  place  here  with  my  tears  of 
acquiescence,  to  sanction  every  line. 

A  Tribute  to  the  Red  Cross  Nurses. 

By  Franki,in  B.  Hussey,  of  Chicago. 


The  war  is  over.  Now  let  us  rejoice.  Now  erect  your  tablets  and 
monuments  to  the  heroes  of  the  war — the  living  and  the  dead.  Write 
their  names  on  the  long  roll  of  honor:  Dewey,  Schley,  Hobson  vmd 
Wainwright,  Roosevelt,  Lee,  Wheeler  and  all  the  rest,  and  alongside 
their  names  write  those  of  the  private  soldier  and  the  "  man  behind 
the  guns."  They  "remembered  the  Maine."  And  while  we  rear  our 
symbols  of  marble  and  of  bronze  to  commemorate  their  brave  deeds, 
there  is  one  we  must  not,  we  cannot,  forget. 

When  our  brave  boys  left  home  and  marched  proudly  down  to  war 
they  did  not  go  alone,  for  the  gentle  presence  of  woman  walked  beside 
them,  to  assuage  with  her  soft  touch  the  grim  horrors  of  carnage.  A 
few  days  ago  the  busy  thoroughfares  of  our  city  resounded  with  the 
music  and  fanfares  of  a  great  jubilee.  I  saw  the  towering  fronts  of  the 
thronging  palaces  of  trade  put  off  their  accustomed  garb  of  work-a-day 
gray  and  drab  and  bedeck  themselves  in  carnival  attire,  while  stretched 
across  from  roof  to  roof  for  miles  hung  festoons  of  glittering  lights,  banners 
and  flags  in  a  bewildering  chaos  of  red,  white  and  blue.  I  .saw  trium- 
phal arches  spanning  the  streets,  adorned  with  the  portraits  and  names 

of  patriots,  but  I  saw  not  hers  of  whom  I  speak. 

^  (677) 


678  THE  RKl)  CROSS. 

Uiider  those  arches,  attended  by  all  the  pomp  and  splendor  of  the 
trappings  of  war,  keeping  step  to  the  glad  music  of  victory,  marched 
ten  thousand  men,  at  their  head  the  Chief  Executive  of  the  nation.  I 
saw  senators  and  judges,  diplomatic  representatives  and  statesmen, 
generals  and  heroes  of  the  army  and  navy,  veterans  and  volunteer 
soldiers  pass  iu  glittering  procession,  while  a  million  voices  shouted 
loud  huzzas  that  told  of  a  nation's  tribute  of  gratitude  to  all  those 
who  had  contributed  to  the  great  victory;  but  for  her  I  looked  in  vain. 

At  night  I  saw  a  great  feast  spread,  honored  by  the  presence  of  the 
nation's  leader  and  all  those  who  had  ridden  in  the  grand  pageant. 
The  toasts  went  round  and  the  glasses  clinked,  but  never  a  word  of  her 
of  whom  I  speak. 

Not  that  she  was  forgotten;  liot  but  that  cheers  would  have  rung 
out  at  the  mention  of  her  name;  but  because  she  went  about  her  duty 
of  self-sacrifice  so  simply,  so  modestly,  without  even  a  thought  or 
expectation  that  any  one  would  ever  know  or  care  whether  she  lived 
to  come  back  from  the  death-laden  fever  swamp,  or  not,  her  part  in  the 
great  victory  had  been,  for  the  time  being,  overlooked;  and  while  gifted 
tongues  are  paying  their  tributes  of  burning  eloquence  to  our  heroes, 
without  seeking  to  detract  one  whit  from  their  glory  and  fame,  which 
they  so  richly  deserve,  may  I  draw  nigh,  with  uncovered  head,  and 
casta  flower  at  /ler  feet  ?  She  asks  no  recognition.  She  seeks  no  praise; 
but  on  some  sunny  slope  of  one  of  our  wooded  parks  I  want  to  see  a 
simple  shaft  uplifted  in  memory  of  the  girl  with  a  red  cross  on  her  arm. 
She  went  forth  to  war  with  no  blare  of  trumpets  or  beat  of  drums;  the 
first  to  go,  the  last  to  return;  she  carried  neither  sword  nor  musket,  but 
only  the  gentle  ministrations  of  a  woman's  hand  and  heart;  not  to  make 
wounds,  but  to  heal  them.  If  you  seek  fitting  words  in  which  to 
embody  her  record,  go  ask  those  whose  fevered  brows  her  cooling 
palms  have  pressed,  whose  bloody  wounds  her  hands  have  stanched, 
but  the  lips  that  could  best  tell  her  noblest  deeds  lie  cold  and  still, 
wrapped  in  the  sleep  that  heeds  no  bugle  call.  She  carried  balm  and 
healing  not  only  to  broken  and  bleeding  bodies,  but  to  broken  and 
bleeding  hearts  as  well,  and  stood  through  long  pestilential  nights,  like 
a  ministering  angel  of  heaven,  beside  the  weary  pillow  of  pain,  and 
when  all  that  human  hands  could  do  had  been  done,  and  the  dying 
soldier  murmured  last  words  to  mother,  wife  or  sweetheart,  hers  the 
ear  that  caught  the  last  faint  whisper,  hers  the  fingers  that  penned  the 
last  letter  home,  hers  the  voice  that  read  from  the  thumb- worn  page, 
"The  lyord  is  my  Shepherd,  I  shall  not  want.  .  .  .  Yea,  though 
I  walk  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death  " — while  with  his 


A   TRIIUITK.  679 

hand  clasped  in  hers,  his  soul  passed  on  through  the  "  valley  "  and  the 
"  shadow  "  up  to  "  the  sandals  of  God."  Yes,  raise  aloft  her  statue 
in  the  streaming  sunlight.  Let  some  great  sculptor,  catching  aright 
the  inspiration  of  his  theme,  outline  that  slender  form — that  woman's 
form,  with  melting  heart  and  nerves  of  steel,  against  the  soft  blue  of 
the  summer  sky,  with  her  lint  and  bandages  in  one  hand  and  her  Bible 
in  the  other,  the  sign  of  the  cross  upon  her  sleeve,  and  the  glory  of  the 
countenance  of  the  "Son  of  Man  "  reflected  on  her  face,  and  under- 
neath let  these  words  be  traced  : 

To  the   nurses  of  the   Red   Cross — those  angels  of  the 
battlefield— who  ministered   to  our  soldiers  and  sailors,  the 
thanks  of  a  grateful  nation;  for  "  Inasmuch  as  ye  have  done 
it  unto  one  of  the  least  of  these,  ye  have  done  it  unto  Me." 
********* 


AS  THE  SUN   WENT  DOWN. 

Two  soldiers  lay  on  the  battlefield 

At  night  when  the  sun  went  down, 
One  held  a  lock  of  thin,  gray  hair 

And  one  held  a  lock  of  brown. 
One  thoup-it  of  his  sweetheart  back  at  home, 

Happy  and  young  and  gay, 
And  one  of  his  mother  left  alone, 

Feeble  and  old  and  gray. 

Each  in  the  thought  that  a  woman  cared, 

Murmured  a  prayer  to  God, 
Lifting  his  gaze  to  the  blue  above 

There  on   the  battle  sod. 

Each  in  the  joy  of  a  woman's  love, 

Smiled   through  the  pain  of  death, 
Murmured  the  sound  of  a  woman's  name, 

Tho'   with  his  parting  breath. 

Pale  grew  the  dying  lips  of  each,     • 

Then,  as  the  sun  went  down. 
One  kist  a  lock  of  thin,  gray  hair, 

And  one  kist  a  lock  of  brown. 

Anon.,  in  Tozim  Talk. 


68o  THE  RED  CROSS. 


UNWRITTEN  THANKS. 


Dear  readers,  I  pray  you  accept  this  last  word  from  me:  "Poor 
even  in  thanks" — the  thanks  with  which  the  heart  is  burdened  but 
cannot  speak.  The  acts  of  kindness  shown  during  these  waiting,  and 
olt  weary  years,  that  crowd  and  clamor  for  expression,  would  duplicate 
this  volume  many  times,  and  the  cherished  names  that  the  hand 
struggles  to  write,  would  turn  these  pages  into  a  biographical 
dictionary. 

Let  me  pray,  then,  that  every  person  who  takes  up  this  volume 
and  recalls  a  kind  act  done  me,  or  a  friendly,  encouraging  word  spoken 
in  all  the  years  of  the  busy  period  which  it  covers,  shall  read  between 
the  lines,  the  cherished  memory,  the  thanks,  and  the  blessing  so  richly 
deserved  and  so  fully  given. 


A  WORD  OF   EXPLANATION. 

May  this  book  before  quite  leaving  the  hands  of  its  author  be  per- 
mitted this  word  of  explanation. 

Its  subject  took  its  rise  in,  and  derived  its  existence  from,  war. 
Without  war  it  had  no  existence.  The  watchword,  indeed  one  might 
almost  say,  the  "war  cry"  of  our  country  and  of  our  people  was 
*  ''peace. ' '  War  was  obsolete — out  of  date — out  of  taste — in  fact,  out  of  the 
question:  hence  there  existed  no  need  for  providing  relief  for  it;  and 
thus  the  Red  Cross  has  stood,  unrecognized  in  the  shadows  of  obscurity 
all  the  eighteen  years  of  its  existence  among  us,  waiting  for  the  sure, 
alas,  too  sure,  touch  of  war,  to  light  up  its  dark  figure,  and  set  in 
motion  the  springs  of  action. 

A  few  believed,  and  like  disciples,  waited  with  it.  If  at  any  time, 
during  that  period,  one  had  presumed  to  offer  to  the  American  public  a 
book  treating  exclusively  upon  the  Red  Cross,  the  production  would 
have  found  neither  publishers  nor  readers;  but  now  that  the  stroke  of 
war  has  fallen  and  the  interest  comes  home  to  ourselves,  neither  can 
wait  for  the  book  to  be  properly  written,  hence  the  unfinished  and 
unsatisfactory  condition  in  which  it  must  present  itself. 


CONCLUSION. 


In  the  foregoing  pages  is  outlined  the  history  of  the  American 
National  Red  Cross  in  peace  and  in  war. 

We  have  seen  it  grow  year  by  year,  from  the  persistent,  almost 
unaccountable  rejection  of  the  Treaty  of  Geneva  by  our  government 
for  eighteen  years.  We  have  seen  it  beginning  in  the  cordial  recogni- 
tion of  Blaine,  and  Garfield,  and  Arthur,  gradually  increasing  in  the 
amount  and  scope  of  its  labors,  growing,  in  the  slowly  gained  influence 
and  support  of  public  confidence,  to  its  present  condition  of  general 
recognition  in  all  parts  of  our  own  country,  and  in  the  warm  apprecia- 
tion of  all  the  nations  that  have  acceded  to  the  Treaty  of  the  Red  Cross. 
There  is,  we  are  happy  to  believe  and  to  assure  our  readers  everywhere, 
a  warmth  and  an  enthusiastic  appreciation  of  the  Red  Cross  that  brings 
added  honor  to  the  country,  and  that  everywhere  recommends  the 
principles  and  the  practices  for  which  the  sacred  symbol  stands.  No 
American  citizen  will  hereafter  travel  in  foreign  lands  any  less  securely 
since  the  American  National  Red  Cross  has  been  before  him  in  Russia, 
and  in  Armenia,  and  in  the  high  conferences  where  the  treaty  nations 
by  their  representatives  from  time  to  time  assemble. 

It  is  founded  in  the  soundest  and  noblest  principles,  in  the  deep 
needs  of  human  nature,  and  in  the  enduring  instincts  and  feelings  of 
mankind.  It  has  come  to  quicken  into  fresh,  new  growth  the  best 
things  in  human  life.  Like  the  Banyan  tree,  wherever  an  auxiliary 
branch  of  the  Red  Cross  exists,  it  will  so  drop  roots  into  human  char- 
acter and  life,  that  it  will  make  it  a  parent  trunk  in  turn  to  send  out 
influences  that  shall  bring  other  affiliating  branches,  so  that  it  .shall  at 
last  cover  the  earth  with  its  grateful  shade,  beneath  which  the  tramp 
of  armed  men  shall  cease,  and  the  battle  flags  be  furled.  Then, 
although  the  original  purpose  and  object  of  the  Red  Cross  was  indeed 
to  heal  the  woiuids  and  sickness  incident  to  warfare,  there  will  remain 
the  work  under  the  "American  Amendment,"  in  which  the  Red  Cross 
goes  forth  to  heal  other  great  ills  of  life. 

The  future  of  the  Red  Cross  then  will  be  worthy  of  the  labors  and 
sacrifices  in  which  it  originated,  worthy  of  the  care  and  tender  solici- 
tude with  which  its  growth  and  progress  has  been  watched  and  tended. 

Into  the  hands  of  the  coming  generations  it  will  be  given  as  the 
best  legacy  that  the  All  Father  has  at  any  time  given  to  His  children — 
the  spirit  and  the  power  symbolized  and  consecrated  forever  by  the 

Red  Cross  of  Geneva. 

(68t) 


NOTES. 


American  National  Red  Cross. 

The  Red  Cross  is  often  referred  to  by  the  press  and  by  many  of  our 
friends  in  correspondence,  as  a  "  society."  From  this  practice,  it  appears 
that  a  misapprehension  exists  regarding  the  official  title  of  the  national 
organization  in  this  countrj%  and  a  few  words  of  explanation  seem 
necessary. 

As  contemplated  by  the  Treaty  of  the  Red  Cross,  and  provided  by 
the  regulations  of  the  International  Committee,  there  is  formed  in  each 
of  the  countries  adopting  the  Treaty  of  Geneva,  one  Central  National 
Committee  of  the  Red  Cross,  with  headquarters  at  the  seat  of  govern- 
ment. 

In  this  National  Committee  of  each  country,  authorized  by  the 
International  Committee  and  recognized  by  its  own  government,  is 
centred  the  power  of  organization  and  direction  of  all  matters  con- 
nected with  the  administration  of  relief  contributed  by  the  people  in  the 
name  of  the  Red  Cross.  This  authority  includes  the  sole  right  to  form 
innumerable  branches,  subject  to  the  direction  of  the  National  Com- 
mittee. These  branches,  created  by  the  National  Organization,  may 
be  known  as  Auxiliary  Societies  of  the  Red  Cross,  or  by  any  other 
appropriate  name,  but  the  central  national  organization  is  not  a  society; 
it  is  a  National  Committee. 

Therefore,  in  referring  to  or  addressing  the  parent  organization,  it 
is  improper  to  use  the  term  "society."  It  should  be  remembered  that 
the  Central  National  Committee  of  the  Red  Cross  for  the  United  States 
of  America,  has,  for  sake  of  convenience,  been  incorporated  under  the 
title:    The  American  NationaIv  Red  Cross. 

Relief  of  Wounded  in  War. 

The  Central  National  Committee  of  the  Red  Cross  in  each  country, 
being  duly  accredited  by  the  International  Committee  and  officially 
recognized  by  its  own  government,  is  the  lawful  means  of  communica- 
tion between  the  people  and  the  armies  in  the  field,  acting  as  the 
administrator  of  the  contributions  of  the  people  for  the  relief  of  the 
sick  and  wounded  in  war. 

(682) 


NOTES.  683 

Correspondence  in  Time  of  War. 

When  hostilities  are  iu  progress,  and  the  usual  means  of  commu- 
nication between  the  belligerent  countries  are  suspended,  prisoners  of 
war  are  enabled  to  communicate  with  their  homes  through  the  medium 
of  the  Red  Cross  of  neutral  nations.  Thus,  for  example,  during  the 
late  Spanish-American  war  the  prisoners  on  board  the  prize  ships  at 
Key  West  were,  by  an  arrangement  made  with  the  authorities  of  the 
United  States  Government,  permitted  to  write  to  their  friends  and  rela- 
tives. The  letters  were,  of  course,  first  vised  and  certified  by  the 
American  National  Red  Cross,  and  those  addressed  to  persons  within 
the  Spanish  lines  were  forwarded  through  the  Red  Cross  of  Portugal. 

Wounded  as  Prisoners  of  War. 

Formerly  a  wounded  man,  as  such,  had  no  particular  rights  which 
any  one  was  pledged  to  respect.  Now,  however,  the  Treaty  of  Geneva 
provides  that  the  wounded  immediately  become  neutral  and  are  entitled 
to  the  care  and  consideration  of  their  captors.  There  is  also  preserved 
to  them  the  right  to  send  messages  through  the  lines,  informing  their 
friends  of  their  whereabouts  and  condition. 


The  Red  Cross  and  Locai^  Charity. 

The  National  Committee  of  the  Red  Cross  and  its  branches,  not 
being  a  local  benevolent  institution,  the  Red  Cross  takes  no  part  in  the 
distribution  of  local  charity,  when  the  distress  is  such  that  it  is  within 
the  power  of  the  community  itself  to  relieve.  Therefore,  members  of 
auxiliary  societies  when  engaged  in  the  usual  charities  of  a  local 
nature,  should  not  act  as  the  representatives  of  the  Red  Cross.  The 
Red  Cross  in  times  oi  peace  can  only  be  called  Into  action  when  a  dis- 
aster occurs  which  is  of  such  magnitude  as  to  be  considered  national  in 
its  character,  and  beyond  the  control  of  the  immediate  community. 

No  Reflection  Upon  the  Government. 

By  their  adhesion  to  the  Treaty  of  Geneva,  and  by  their  recogni- 
tion of  the  National  Committees  in  each  country,  the  nations  of  the 
world  have  declared  that,  no  matter  how  extensive  the  preparations, 
nor  how  complete  may  be  the  organization  of  the  medical  department 


684  THE  RED  CROSS. 

of  an  army,  it  is  beyond  human  possibility  to  provide  for  all  contin- 
gencies. For  this  reason  the  National  Committees  of  the  Red  Cross 
were  created.  The  necessity  for  auxiliary  aid  by  the  people,  through 
the  Red  Cross,  existing  as  it  does  in  all  the  treaty  countries,  is  in  no 
wise  a  reflection  upon  the  Medical  Department  of  the  Army,  nor  upon 
the  ability  and  faithfulness  of  its  officers.  Hence,  the  timely  accept- 
ance of  this  auxiliary  aid,  the  necessity  for  which  all  nations  have 
publicly  acknowledged,  brings  with  it  no  discredit;  it  is  only  its  rejec- 
tion that  opens  the  door  to  censure. 

Membership  in  the  Red  Cross. 

In  the  past  many  applications  have  been  received  for  membership 
in  the  American  National  Red  Cross,  to  all  of  which  it  has  been  neces- 
sary to  make  the  same  reply.  The  central  organization  being  a 
National  Committee,  membership  thereon  is  only  conferred  by  election 
and  appointment,  not  by  application.  Membership  in  the  Red  Cross 
may,  however,  be  obtained  through  the  auxiliary  societies.  During 
the  Spanish-American  war  many  auxiliaries  were  formed  for  tempor- 
ary work,  but  have  not  yet  been  received  and  accredited  as  permanent 
societies  of  the  Red  Cross.  It  is  hoped,  however,  that  the  time  may 
soon  come  when  the  local  branches  of  the  Red  Cross  may  be  found 
everywhere,  and  when  any  one  who  is  acceptable  may  become  a  mem- 
ber by  joining  the  nearest  auxiliary. 


INDEX. 


A.  Page. 

Address  by  Clara  Barton  to  the  President,  Congress,  and  People  of  U.  S 60 

Address  by  Clara  Barton:    "  What  is  Significance  of  Red  Cross  in  its  Rela- 
tion  to   Philanthropy?"    97 

Address  by  Clara  Barton  to  Congress   666 

Accession  of  U.  S.  to  Treaty  of  Geneva  and  Additional  Articles  of  Navy..     80 

Adhesion  of  U.  S.,  translation  from  International  Bulletin,  April,  1882 87 

Articles  of  Red  Cross  Treaty,  or  the  Convention  of  Geneva 57 

Articles,  additional,  of  Oct.  20,  1863 74 

American  Amendment  of  Red  Cross 383,  668,  681 

A ppia.  Dr.   Louis   23,  48,     61 

Aguadores,   shelling  of    561,  645 

Americans  advised  to  leave  Havana  -April  9 54O,  603 

Amputations  few 5Q3 

Army  Surgeons  Accept  Red  Cross  Help.  ..  .  560,  562,  588,  589,  590,  615,  616,  645 

647 

"As  the  Sun  Went  Down  "  ( Poem)    679 

Auxiliaries 474-480 

Austrian    Committee    31 

ARMENIAN  RELIEF  FIELD,  1895-96: 

Red  Cross  requested  to  take  charge  of  relief 275 

Armenia,  conditions  in  276,  279.  320 

Turkey,  signatory  power  to  Red  Cross  Convention  of  1864 276 

Public  gatherings  in  the   United   States,   effect  of 276 

Obligations  of  neutrality  imposed  upon  the  representatives  and  workers 

under  Geneva  Treaty   277.  279,  280 

Red  Cross  forbidden  to  enter  Turkey  by  Turkish   Minister   in   Wash- 
ington        277,  278 

Turkish  Minister's  action  politically  justifiable 277 

Red  Cross  pledged  to  go  to  Turkey  277 

Red  Cross  sails  from  New  York.  Jan.  22,  1896 277 

Dr.  Hubbell  dispatched  to  Constantinople   278 

Conference  with  Missionary  Board  at  Constantinople   278 

U.  S.  Minister  A.  W.  Terrell  27S,  279.  299,  31.1 

Conference  with  Turkish  Minister  of  Foreign  Affairs,  Tcwfik  Pasha.  ..  .  278 

Plan  of  Relief  outlined  to  Turkish  Minister  279 

Permission  to  work  and  protection  of  Turkish  Government  assured..  280 
Preoarations  for  dispatching  agents  becin 2S3 


686  INDEX. 

ARMENIAN  RELIEF  FIELD,  1895-96— (Continued):                               Page 
Relief  delayed  by  denunciatory  utterances  in  the  U.  S.;  sample;  "  Pro- 
Armenian    Alliance  "    283 

Currie,  Sir  Phillip,  suggests  Southern  Route 284,  288 

Expeditions  start  via  Alexandretta   (Iskanderun) 285 

Doubts  and  discouragements  from  home   285 

Massacre  at  Killis,  Turkish  Government  anxious 286 

Letter  to  Frances  Willard i85 

Zcitoun  and  Marash  epidemics 287,  335.  350,  353,  35-4 

Harris,  Dr.  Ira.  expedition  of,  and  report 287,  294,  336,  350 

Perplexing  cablegrams  from   U.  S 288 

Cabled  American  Committee  that  Red  Cross  will  finish  field  alone 289 

Letter  to  Red  Cross  officer,  P.  V.  De  Graw,  in  U.  S 289 

Course  of  expeditions   290 

Shattuck,  Miss  Corinna,  at  Oorfa 293,  335 

Kimball,   Dr.   Grace,   Bitlis    293 

Expeditions  reach   Harpoot    293 

Typhoid  and  typhus  in  Arabkir 293,  337,  338 

Fifth    expedition    •. 294 

Harpoot  293,  295,  337 

Diarbekir 295 

Farkin 295 

Furnishing  tools  for  building  and  harvesting  295 

Wood,  Chas.  King 296,  297.  334,  335,  337,  356 

Wistar,  E.  M. 334,  335,  345,  356 

Gates,  Rev.  C.  F.,  D.  D 296 

Cattle  for  plowing  and  planting 296 

Return  of  expeditions  from  Asia   Minor    297,  29S 

Balance  of  funds  placed  with  W.  W.  Peet,  Treasurer 297 

Peet,  W.  W 297,  298,  299,  324 

Hardships  endured  by  our  men 297 

Dwight,  H.  O..  D.  D 298,  315.  324 

Green,  Jos.  K.,  D.  D 298 

Hamblin,  Dr.  Cyrus  299 

Washburn,   Geo.   D.    D 278,   299,  324 

Selamlic  299 

Time  spent  socially  in  Constantinople    299 

Respects  paid  to  new  Turkish   Minister   to   U.   S.,    Moustapha   Tehsin 

Bey  290 

Decoration  and  diploma,  Armenian  and  Turkish 300,  303 

Returning  home    304 

Grand  Duke  and  Grand  Duchess  of  Baden,  visit  to 304 

Constantinople  massacres  renewed,  and  Red  Cross  proposed  to  return. 


if   needed 


305 


Distances  and  difficulties  of  travel,  transportation  and  communication  in 

Turkey    305 

Turkish   telegram    307 


INDEX.  687 

ARMENIAN  RELIEF  FIELD.  1895-96— (Continued):  Page. 

Funds,  never  embarrassed  for 307 

Methods  of  work,  general    310 

Difificulties  of  relief  committees  at  home,  and  causes 310,  313 

The  Press  and  contributors   313 

(To  the)  Government  at  Washington,  and  To  the   U.  S.   Legation  at 

Constantinople   313 

Ambassadois  and  representatives  of  other  nations  315 

Commendatory   315 

"  The   Independent,"    report    315 

"  Marmora,"  poem   319 

Condi*^lons  in  Armenia,  summary  of 320 

Financial  Secretary's  Report,  Armenia: 

Turkish  money,  intricacies  of,  and  varying  values   324 

Post,    Dr.    Geo.    E.,   letter   of 324 

Para,  copper  coin,  value,  one-tenth  cent   325 

Piaster,  equal  forty  para,  about  4  1-2  cents  325 

Lira,  gold  325 

Volunteer  aid    326 

.  Money,    banking,    express    326 

Bakshish  326 

Method  and  manner  of  distribution 327,  328 

Raising  of  funds,  popular  impression  and  actual  experience  in 329 

Balance    sheet    333 

General  Field  Agent's  Report: 

Preparations  for  interior  travel   334 

Fuller,  Rev.  Dr.,  Aintab 334,  335 


Killis 


334 


Aintab   335 

Red  Cross  methods  328.  329.  335.  336.  339.  345.  355 

Marash  filled  with  refugees  and  epidemics  prevailing   335 

Marash,  Mrs.  Lee  and  Mrs.  Macallum  336 

Surrounding  country  pillaged,   people  killed 335 

Trail  route.  Marash  to  Harpoot   336 

Marash  without  foods  or  medicines  336 

Arabkir  epidemic 294.  337 

Hintlian.  Dr.  Hagop  338.  339 

Bush.   Miss   Caroline   E 338.  339 

Arabkir,  welcome  to    338 

Egin  City  and  Aghan  villages 343.  344 

Gratitude  of  people    343 

Barnum.  Rev.  H.  N 346 

Post,  Dr.  Geo 350 

Tribute  to  Red  Cross  non-sectarian  methods,  by  Dr.   Harris 355 

Returning   expeditions    i!^6 


688  INDEX. 

B. 

BARTON,  CLARA.  LETTERS  AND  CORRESPONDENCE:  Page 

Autograph  translation  of  Mr.  Moynier's  letter  to  President  of  U.  S.,  on 

adoption  of  treaty   i7 

To  E.  M.  Camp,  Ed.  •'  Erie  Dispatch  "  (The  Little  Six) 130 

To  Ed.  "  Charleston  News  and  Courier,"  subject,  Sea  Island  Relief....  268 

To  Sea  Island  Committeemen,  planting   273 

To  Frances  Willard,  Armenian  relief  286 

To  P.  V.  De  Graw,  Armenian  relief  289 

To  Admiral  \V.  T.  Sampson,  Cuban  relief,  entering  Havana 370 

To  Cuban  Relief  Committee,  New  York  Cuban  relief  374 

To  Surgeon-Major  Louis  A.  Le  Garde,  Siboney    Hospital 560 

To  S.  E.  Barton  (cable),  Siboney 562 

To  Admiral  Sampson,  entering  Santiago   574 

To  C^pt.  Chadwick,  flagship  "New  York,"  entering  Santiago 575 

To  R.  A.  Alger,  Secretary  of  War,  transportation,  Santiago  to  Havana,  584 

To  Capt.  S.  C.  Wertsch,  S.  S.  "  Clinton."  thanks 631 

From  J.  G.  Blaine.  Secretary  of  State   41 

From  Mr.  Moynier,    Pres.    Comite  International    81 

From  "  The  Little  Six  "  I32 

From  A.  A.  Adee,  Secretary  of  State,  Cuban  relief 362 

From  S.  E.  Barton,  Cuban  relief  365 

From  John  F.  Hoar,  U.  S.  Marshal.  Key  West,  Spanish  prisoners....   369 

From  Admiral  W.  T.  Sampson,   Cuban  relief,   entering   Havana 2>7?> 

From  R.  A.  Alger,  Secretary  of  War,  Red  Cross  Treaty 395 

From  C.  H.  Allen,  Secretary  of  Navy,  Red  Cross  Treaty  . . .  . : 395 

From  Surgeon-Major  Le  Garde,  hospital  work 560 

From  S.  E.  Barton,  transportation  and  nurses   562 

From  Capt.  Chadwick,  flagship  "  New  York,"  entering  Santiago 575 

From  R.  A.  Alger,  Secretary  of  War.  transportation.  Santiago  to  Ha- 
vana       584 

From  Capt.  P.  C.  Wertsch.  acknowledgment    631 

From  members  of  Red  Cross  field  stafif  on  separating  632 

From  Santiago  Relief  Committee  639 

From  Duke  of  Parmella,   Red   Cross   Intermediary 665 

From  Spanish  Red  Cross   

Barton,  Clara,  reimbursed  by  Congress  78 

Barton,  Clara,  starts  to  Cuba  Feb.  6.  1898 519 

Bangs,  C.  C,  work  at  El  Caney  and  death  at  Santiago 620,  650 

Baracoa  and  Sagua  de  Tanamo 623 

Battleship   "  Maine."   visit   to 523 

Battleship  "  Maine."  blowing  up  of 524,  600 

Battleship   "  Maine's  "   dead    526 

Beckwith,  General  A 120 

Bell,  Major  Wm.  Dufifield.  statement  of  conditions  at  front  hospital.   San- 
tiago    616 

Bellows,  Henry  W.  (effort  to  bring  U.  S.  into  treaty)  36 


INDEX.  689 

Blaine,  Secretary  James  G.  (letter  to  Clara  Barton  acknowledging  Mr.  Moy- 

nier's)   42 

blaine,  Secretary,  transmits  articles  Geneva  Convention  to  President 73 

Blanco,  General,  courtesy  of,  and  co-operation  547,  643 

Bulletin,    International     27 

C. 

CAMPS  AND  CAMP  WORK,  extracts  from  reports  of 484 

Atlanta  District: 

Camp  Fort  McPherson,  Ga.,  Rev.  Orville  G.  Nave,  agent 420 

Atlanta  Committee  of  Red  Cross   421 

Ked  Cross  work,  ouservation  on 421 

Camp  Hobson,  Ga.,   Lythia  Springs 422 

Diet   Kitchen,   Miss  Junia  McKinley    +22 

Chattanooga  District: 

Camp  Thomas,  Chickamauga,  E.  C.  Smith,  agent    408 

Typhoid  fever  in  camp   411,  502 

Hospital   "  Sternberg  "    412 

Hospitals  "  Sanger  "  and  "  Leiter  "   412 

Nurses,  great  lack  of,  at  first  411 

Nurses,  140  women  graduate  at  one  time   412 

Camp   "  Shipp."   Anniston,   Ala 413 

Hunters  Island  507 

Jacksonville,  Fla.,  District,  Rev.    Alex.    Kent,    agent 414 

Camp  Fernandina  418 

Camp  hospitals,  conditions  to  be  expected  in 418 

Camp    Miami    418 

Hospital,  recuperating,  Pablo  Beach   416 

Long  Island  and  New  York  District: 

Long  Island  Relief  Station.  Mrs.  A.  G.  Hammond,  superintendent....  489 

490.  505 
Camp  WyckofF,  Montauk  Point,  L.  I..  Howard  Townscnd,  agent.  Dr. 

Brewer,    assistant    426 

Bureau  of  Inquiry  and  Correspondence 429 

Diet  Kitchens   429,  505 

First  work  supplying  water   426 

Hospital,   railway  emergency    430 

Quarantine  ofificer.   Dr.   Magruder    429 

Troops  arriving  on  transports   (feeding  of)    429 

Nurses,  140  Red  Cross   429 

Supplies,  promptness  in  ordering  and  receiving 426 

Camp  Black,  nurses  at   506 

Porto  Rico  Field  Work,  Horace  F.  Barnes,  agent.  General  W.  T.  Ben- 
nett, assistant 460 

Camp   Barton    467 

Field  agent,  qualifications  necessary  for  (Barnes)    470 

Method    of    work    468 


6oci  INDEX. 

CAMPS  AND  CAMP  WORK— (Continued):  Page. 

Sick,  large  percentage  of,  in  Porto  Rico   468,  469 

Sickness,  some  of  causes   469 

Tampa  District.  Dr.  S.  S.  Parlello,  agent  493 

Washington,  D.  C,   i:)iSTRitTs: 

Camp  Alger,  Washington,  B.  H.  Warner,  field  agent 397 

Camp  Bristow  Diet  Kitchen  ^ 400 

Camp  Point  Sheridan  visited,  Mrs.   Mussey   399 

Fort  Meyer  Diet  Kitchen,  Dr.  Mary  E.  Green 400 

Post  Hospital,  VVashingtun   Barracks    399 

Camps  and  camp  regulations,   suggestions   405 

Common  sense   criticism    405 

Green,  Dr.  Mary  E 400 

Ice  plant  auxiliary  of  New  York  402 

Legion  Loyal  Women 403 

Medicine  and  supplies  furnished  promptly  by  Red  Cross  399 

Nurses,  experienced,  needed   399,  401 

President   and   Secretary   of   War   always   interested   in   efforts    of   Red 

Cross   405 

Red  tape  hinders  needed  supplies  399 

Returning  troops  at  Fortress  Monroe,  meeting  of 401 

Troops  en  route,  sick  and  well,  care  of 401 

Testimony  of  ofificers,  surgeons  and  soldiers  to  work  of  Red  Cross...   403 

Tribute  to  the  Red  Cross  406 

Sag  Harbor  Home  507 

CAROLINA  SEA  ISLANDS  HURRICANE  AND  RELIEF 197 

Hurricane,    description    of    197 

Hurricane,    Admiral    Beardslee's    description    203 

Sea  Islands,  geography,  people,  conditions,  religion 203,  205,  209 

First  local   aid    202 

Red  Cross  called  by  the  Governor  of  South  Carolina 201 

Sea  Islands  Hurricane,  needs  and  methods  of  relief 208,  210 

Relief  work  in  Sea  Islands  Hurricane,  district  report  of  J.  MacDonald, 

Hilton  Head 211,  219 

Report  of  Mrs.   MacDonald,  clothing    220 

Report  of  warehouse  and  shipping  department,  Dr.  E.  W.  Egan 222 

Medical  and  sanitary,  Dr.  E.  W.  Egan  228 

Report  Beaufort  District,  Dr.  J.  B.  Hubbell 232 

Report  Charleston  District,  H.  L.  Bailey  244 

Report  of   clothing  department.    Mrs.   Jos.    Gardner   and    Mrs.    H.    L. 

Reed 252^26.3 

Sewing  circles 257 

"  Christmas  Carol,"  poem    261 

Summary  of  work  done   268 

Leaving  the  field  268 

Circular  letter  to  committeemen  the  year  following.  Feb.,  1895 '2-']}, 

Cobb,  D.  L 360,  361,  420,  624,  655 


INDEX.  691 

CUBA  AND  CUBAN  RELIEF:  ?«««. 

Casino,   Havana    5^' 

Cuban  Central  Relief  Committee,  formation  of 362,  363,  634 

Cuban  relief,  first  efforts  fail  from  political  and  other  influences 516 

Cuban   relief,   numerous    Dbstructions.   political   and   sensational 514 

Spain  addressed,  requesting  permission  to  distribute  in  Cuba 515 

Spain's  courteous  and  generous   response,   a  courtesy   carelessly   over- 
looked by  Americans   513 

Conference  with   President  and  Secretary  oi  State  on   Cuban  relief....   516 

Cuba,  conditions  of  country  and  peoi)le  (Senator   Proctor) 534 

Cuban   Congressional   Committee    546 

Cienfuegos    544,  643 

Cisneros,    Miss    543' 

Co-operation  of  Cuban  physicians 643 

Cuban  refugees,  relief,  Tampa  and  Key  West  368 

Spanish-A.\ieric.'\x  W.\r   360 

Cuba  and  the  Cuban  campaign   514 

Cuban    Hospital,    Siboney    557,  614 

Cargo  for  north  coast  of  Cuba.  Mary  1^.  Morse 624 

Chadwick,   Capt..  battleship    "  New  York,"   correspondence 575 

Clinics  while  waiting   551,   644,  645 

Clothing  report,  Miss  Fowler   656 

"  Clinton,"  steamer  furnished  by  Government  for  Red  Cross  transporta- 
tion  583,  629 

"Clinton"  leaves  Havana,  Sept.   i,   1898   585,  6.30,  652 

"  Comal,"   steamei     arrives    Havana    585 

Committees,  central  or  national   27,     28 

Charities,   difficulties  in  administering    166 

Conference  of  1863,  preliminary  to  the  Convention  of  Geneva,  of  .\ug.  22. 

1864  23.  24.  28,  35,  36,  38,  51.  52.     53 

Conferance.  second.  Oct.  20.   1868   74 

Congress  votes  $1 ,000  for  printing  92 

Convention  of  Geneva,  Red  Cross.  Aug.  22,  1864 24,     57 

Conclusion   681 

Correspondence  in  time  of  war 608,  644,  683 

"  Crevasse,"  escape  from  a t21 

Cyclone  of  Mississippi  and  Louisiana 112 

Cyclone  of  Mount  Vernon,  111.,  Feb.  19.  1888 143 


D. 

Death  rate  from  wounds,  small 593 

Diet  Kitchens   400.  402.  429,  505 

Distribution  places,  Havana   522.  600,  601 

Douglas,  Robert,  house  and  warehouse  for  Red  Cross,  Santiago 619 

Dufour,  General    23.     50 

Dunant,  Henri  (Swiss)    23.     48 


692  INDEX. 

Page. 
Distribution,  a  criminal  neglect  in,  the  occasion  of  great  disturbance  in  the 
United  States    547 

E. 

Egan,  Dr.  E.  W.  and  Geo.  Kennan,  to  the  iroui.  Santiago 646 

Egan,  Dr.  E.  W.,  report   642 

El  Caney  and  Firnieza  refugees,  supplies  for 577,  6ig,  620,  649 

Emergency  package,  good  results 593 

Explanatory  note  to  readers 680 

F. 

Federal  Council  of  Switzerland   24 

Fields  of  work  from  i<S8i  to  1894 104 

Field  drill  643 

Financial  secretary,  Cuban  work,  report 600 

Financial  statement,  Cuban  relief 635 

First  relief  committee  for  Cuban  help  not  successful 515 

Flood  of  Mississippi  river,  1884 1 19 

Floods  of  Ohio  and  Mississippi.    1882  and  1883 104,   in,  112 

Floods,  Ohio  and  Mississippi,  1884,  government  account  of  Red  Cross  work.   128 

Food  and  supplies  for  sick  soldiers,  scarcity  in  Cuban  campaign 595 

Food  and  hospital  supplies,  scarcity  of,  at  front 616,  649 

Franco-Prussian  war 25 

Forest  fires  of  Michigan.  1881  108 

French.  Alice  (Octave  Thanet) 177 

French  Red  Cross 3^,  664 

G. 

Garcia,  General  Calixto 560,  561,  614,  645,  646 

Geneva  Convention  Treaty  in  United  States  (translation  from  International 

Bulletin)    77 

German-Austrian  war 25 

German  Red  Cross   32 

Government  relationship  to  the  Red  Cross 377.  378.  379,  38c,  383,  384,  395 

Guantanamo,  June  25th 560,  610.  619.  645 

G'lantanamo,  Cajitain  MvCalla  asks  for  100.000  rations  for  Cubans 574 

Guantanamo   supplies   for   Cubans   declined   for   fear   of   yellow   fever    con- 
tagion       574^  619 

Governments  that  have  adopted  treaty,  list   58 

Governmental  recognition  of  the  Red  Cross 28,  80,  85,  91,  92,  377,  378,  379 

380,  383,  395 
Geddings,  Surgeon  (Egmont  Key,  Fla.)    6^2 

H. 

Havana,  arrived  at.  August  25th 584,  629 

Harbor  clinics 606,  6J4,  64s 

Havana  custom  duties,  excessive,  prevent  unloading  supplies 585,  629,  652 


INDEX.  693 

Page. 

Havana  citizens,  cordial  co-operation  in  relief  work  601 

Havana  harbor,  fine  of  $500  imposed  585.  627 

Havana,  "  Maine  "  victims  at  San  Ambrosia  Hospital  5^5 

Havana,  Red  Cross  headquarters  528  del  Ccrro  526.  601 

Havana  understood  to  be  open  port  5^3.  626 

History  of  Red  Cross,  preparation  of,  in  1883  96 

HOME  CAMPS  AND  AMERICAN  WATERS 362-513 

Homes  of  Hunter's  Island  and  Sag  Harbor  507 

Hospital,  Charleston  city,  nurses  sent  4^6 

Hospital,  Siboney,  Cuba 557.  561.  590.  614 

Hospital,  Fort  Hamilton,  nurses  at 497 

Hospital.  Fort  Monroe,  nurses  sent  496 

Hospitals,  Fort  Wadsvvorth,  Staten  Island,  nurses  sent  to 497.  502 

Hospital,  Governor's  Island,  nurses  at   497.  502 

Hospital,  '■  Leiter  "  495 

Hospital  at  Siboney,  opened  July  -'d 561.  3'JO-  615 

Hospital  ship  "  Solace,"  Captain  Dunlap 555.  610 

Hospital  supplies    from    '"  State    of   Texas  " 595 

Hospital  supplies  at  Santiago  5^2,  651 


I. 

Ice  schooner  "  Mary  E.  Morse  " 559-  S^o.  624 

Incidents  of  workroom  659-661 

Incorporation  of  American  Red  Cross 47.     94 

Intermediary  offices  of  Red  Cross  664,  665,  684 

Intermediaries  in  Spanish-American  war: 

Switzerland   384.  380 

Portugal 608,  644.  664.  665,  683 

France   664 

International  Committee 27,  28,  667,  G82 

International   Committee,  circular  announcing  formation   of  the   American 

National  Red  Cross  91 

International  Committee,  medal  of  honor  to  Clara  Barton 82,     83 

International  conferences,  representation  in 668 

International     communications,     made     through     the     International     Com- 
mittee   667.  6S2 

International  Committee,  twenty-five  years'  record  (illustration) 84 

International  relations  of  National  Committees  28 

Iron  Cross  of  Prussia  presented  to  Clara  Barton  83 

Italian  Red  Cross  3' 


J- 

Jaruco,  condition,  relief  (Cuba) 527 

Jaruco's  tribute  to  the  dead  of  the  "  Maine  " 530 


694  INDEX. 

Page 

JOHNSTOWN  FLOOD,  PA..   1889 i57 

Benevolent  Union  of  Conemaugh  Valley 164 

Johnstown  llood,  incidents  ^ 171-173 

Johnstown  flood,  "'  In   Mcnioriam  " 174 

Five  o'clock  tea 163 

Johnstown  Finance  Committee,  extract  from  report,  sheltering  people,   169 

Johnstown  contributions,  general  fimd,  $1,600,000 168 

Johnstown's  farewell  to  Miss  Barton 169 

Red  Cross  houses,  warehouse  and  infirmary 164 

Johnstown  houses,  removal  of 167 

Johnstown   infirmary    164 

Poem,    "  The   Dread    Conemaugh  " 170 

Jorrin,  Senora  J.  S 526,  530 

Jovellanos  (Cuba)   654 

K. 

Kennan,  George  395,  587,  646 

Klopsch,  Louis,  assumes  charge  of  distribution  in  Cuba 547 

L. 

La  Yocabo,   Havana    '521 

Landing  supplies,  difficulties.  Siboney  563 

Late  in  Siboney,  we  cannot  reach  our  ship 568,  650 

Le  Garde,  Major-Surgeon  Louis  A.,  request  for  Red  Cross  help 560,  589 

618,  645 
Le  Garde,  Surgeon-Major,  testimonial  to  Red  Cross  physicians  and  nurses,  599 

LESSER,  Dr.  A.  MONAE  (report  of)    587 

Lesser,  Mr?.  A.  Monae  (Sister  Bettina) 531.  545 

Liabilities  to  war  in  United  States  less  than  in  other  countries 35 

Liberality  of  transportation  companies   364 

Los  Fosos,  Havana 521 ,  522,  545,  546,  602 

M. 

MacClenny  nurses,  story  of 147,   148 

Matanzas  (Cuba)  546,  547,  653 

Matanzas,  condition  of  hospitals  and  people 531 

Matanzas,  Governor  of,  Francisco  de  Armas 532,  546,  547 

"  Mattie  Bell,"  steamer  on  Mississippi  118 

Marianao  hospital   5^5 

Mason.  Robert 578   621,  651 

Maxwell,  Miss  ;         C502,  503 

McCalla,  Captain  560,  610.  619,  645 

^TcKibben,   Genera!    (military  governor,   Santiago) 621 

Membership  in   Red   Cross   684 

Methods  of  relief 310.  328,  329.  370.  ^21,  426,  43S.  484.  498.  579,  601 

607,  608,  615,  621,  626,  642,  643,  644,  654,  661,  683 


INDEX.  695 

Page. 

Method  of  collecting  supplies  for  reconcentrados  .^63 

Method  of  sending  nurses  quickly   49S 

Michaelson.  H 578.  579,  621.  651 

Military  and  medical  preparations  never  adequate  in  battle- 666,  683 

Mines,  submarine,  Santiago 575 

Mississippi  and  Louisiana  cyclone  112 

Modus  vivcndi  between  Spain  and  United  States 3^4~304 

Moynier,  President  Gustave  23,     50 

Moynier,  President  Gustave,  letter  to  Miss  Barton  on  adhesion  of  United 

States  to  treaty  and  status  of  American  Red  Cross  Committee 81 

Moynier,    President    Gustave,    letter    of    (autograph    translation    by    Clara 

Barton)    37 

Moynier.  President  Gustave,  letter  of  thanks  to  Clara  Barton  on  receipt  of 

official  documents  of  treaty  90 

Moynier's  letter  to  Mr.  Blaine   42 

Moynier,  President,  letter  (Garfield's  indorsement)    40 

Moynier,  President  Gustave  (letter  to  President  of  United  States) 36.     41 

"  Moynier,"  steam  launch  394 

N. 

National  committees,  character  of 668,  682 

National  committees,  relations  of  28 

Navy,  articles  for 74 

Navy,  courtesies  of.  to  the  Red  Cross 367.  550,  555,  576.  578,  606,  610,  651 

Neutral  countries  34 

Neutrality  in  Red  Cross  principles  recognized 547 

Neutrality  in  war  pledged 666 

Neutrality  of  wounded  683 

Neutrality  of  supplies  and  personnel 24 

Notes  on  the  Red  Cross 682 

Nurses 28.  30.  399.  401.  411.  412.  429.  435.  436,  492,  493.  494,  495,  496.  497 

502.  506,  590.  595.  596.  646.  663 

Nurses  and  assistants,  more  telegraphed  for  50<J 

Nurses,  lack  of.  at  first 399.  4H.  595-  64^) 

Nurses  of  the  Red  Cross,  tribute  to.  by  Hussey 677 

Nurses  in  operating  tents  646 

Nurses  for  Siboney  carried  to  Porto  Rico 492 


Objections  to  Red  Cross  answered  26 

Official  instructions  to  officers,  land  and  naval,  concerning  steamship  "  Slate 

of  Texas  "    .^67 

Officers  in  the  field,  kindness  of 664 

Ohio  river  floods,  1884 115 

Ohio  river  flood,  "  Josh.  V.  Throop."   Red  Cross  steamer  on   Ohio   river. 

1884  114.   1^4 


696  INDEX. 

Page. 

"  Olivette,"  United  States  hospital  ship  559 

Opinions  of  a  major  surgeon  about  women  on  the  field 569 

Organization  and  methods  of  work  (see  methods)  27 

Orphanage  in  Havana 53i,  545.  602,  642 

P. 

Packing  supplies  for  shipping,  suggestions    656 

Parmella,  Duke  of  ( President  Portuguese  Red  Cross)   664.  665 

Partello.  Dr.  S.  S.  (field  agent  at  Tampa)  653 

Phinney,  Miss,  death  of 495 

Pinar  del  Rio.  Artimesa  540 

Plans  for  self-help  formulated  with  co-operation  of  General  Blanco 547 

Poem,  "  The  Women  who  Went  to  the  Field  " 509 

Proctor,  Senator  Redfield 531,  533.  534 

Porter,  Mrs.  J.  Addison 567,  569,  570,  643 

Portuguese  Red  Cross,  intermediary  between  United  States  and  Spain....  608 

644-  664,  665,  683 

Postmaster  Brewer  at  Siboney 568,  650 

Preparations  for  war 25 

Press,  the  support  of  364 

President  Arthur,  declaration  of  the  articles  of  navy 80,  385 

President  Arthur  explaining  articles  of  navy  555 

President  Arthur  recommends  treaty  in  message,  December,  1881 "jz 

President  Arthur,  special  message  giving  adhesion  of  United  States  to  treaty 

and  additional  articles 80,  385 

President  Arthur  transmits  treaty  papers  to  Senate  "jt^ 

President  Arthur's  proclamation  of  treaty  of  Red  Cross 85 

President  Garfield  (Moynier's  letter  presented  to) 41 

President  Hayes  ( Moynier's  letter  presented  to) 41 

President's  Cabinet  the  Board  of  Consultation  for  National  Red  Cross....     92 

President  McKinley's  call  for  reconcentrado  relief  361,  516 

President  McKinley  requests  Red  Cross  to  return  to  Cuba  with  supplies  for 

reconcentrados    549 

President  McKinley  asked  for  transportation,  reply 583,  629 

P^ojct  de  concordat,  propositions  and   resolutions 51 

R. 
Ratifying  power  for  Red  Cross  treaties  —  the   Congress  of  Berne-Switzer- 
land     667 

Reincorporation  of  American  National  Red  Cross  94 

Relief  of  wounded  soldiers,  first  proposition  for  2;^ 

Red  Cross  accepted  by  government  305 

Red  Cross  American  amendment  383.  668,  681,  683 

Red  Cross  constitution  46,     94 

Red  Cross,  first  in  United  States   36 

Red  Cross  history,  1882  96 


INDEX.  697 

Pace. 

Red  Cross,  introduction  into  United  States (j'a'I 

Kea  Cross  incorporation,  original 47 

Red  Cross  insignia 24.  58,  75.  76.  390,  667 

Red  Cross  insignia,  protection  of  671,  673 

Red  Cross  international  conferences 176,  668 

Red  Cross  international  committee 667,  682 

Red  Cross  intermediary   offices    664.  683 

Red  Cross  in    sanitary    science    667 

Red  Cross  in  floods  of  Ohio,  Chicago  "  Interocean  " 117,  119 

Red  Cross,  congressional   committee  needed 671-673 

Red  Cross  not  branch  of  government  670 

Red  Cross  national  committees,  of  other  countries  667 

Red  Cross  national  committees 668,  682 

Red  Cross,  objections  to.  answered  26 

Red  Cross,  peculiar  institution,  definition 25.  666.  672.  682,  683 

Red  Cross  of  other  nations  —  their  co-operation  in  Spanish- American  war, 

relief 662,  663 

Red  Cross  prestige   in   other   countries 673 

Red  Cross,  relationship  to  government 378,  379.  380.  383,  384,  395 

Red  Cross,  recognition  in  United  States  tardy 61 

Red  Cross  should  not  be  government  bureau 672 

Red  Cross,  when  government  aid  should  be  given 673 

Red  Cross  work  no  reflection  on  military  medical  departments   683 

Red  Cross  service  accepted  by  Secretary  of  Navy 395 

Red  Cross  relief,  Ohio  river,  reference  to,  in  government  report 128 

Red  Cross  "Farewell,"  Evansville  Journal,  May  28,  1884 126 

Red  Cross    '  Society  "   682 

Red  Cross  of  Dansville.  N.  Y.,  first  local  society  in  United  States 107 

Red  Cross  Society  of  Rochester.  N.  Y 109 

"  Red  Cross  Work."  Evansville  Journal,  extract 119 

RED   CROSS   MEMBERSHIP    684 

Railway  companies,  courtesies  and  co-operation  (Cuban)    6}3 

Ramsden.   Fredk   577,  578,  62'    650 

Reception  at  Tampa  606 

Reconcentrados   360,  361 .  528.  534.  537 

Reconcentrado  relief,  first  shipments  to  Cuba  363 

Reconcentrado  hospitals  and  clinics 531.  ^^^2,  642 

Reconcentrado  relief.  Red  Cross  called  to  365 

Red  Cross  of  other  nations,  co-operation  in  Cuban  war 384,  386,  662 

664.  665.  683 

Red  Cross  services  accepted  by   Cuban  surgeons.  Santiago 588 

Red  Cross  staff 601 ,  606.  609,  622,  623,  646 

Red  Cross  president  arrives    Havana.   February  9,   1898,  general  con- 
ditions described  520,  600 

Refugees  at  Key  West  and  Tampa 603.  605.  608,  644,  653 


6y8  INDEX. 

RED  CROSS  MEMBERSHIP— (Continued):  Page. 

Reid.  Mrs.  Whitelaw  506 

Report  of  Dr.  E.  W.  Egan  642 

Report  of   Miss  Annie   Fowler.     Clothing 656 

Rough  Riders'  battle,  the  first  news  of 557,  610 

"Red   Cross   Flag  is   Flying,"   poem 359 

Red    Cross    Relief    Committee    of    New    York    for    the    Spanish- 
American  War: 

Officers,  members  and  subcommittees   473 

Treasurer's  report.  May  to  December  i,   1898 474 

Auxiliaries,  women's  committee  on  474 

Auxiliaries,  supplies  contributed  through  supply  committee,  $80,000.  . . .  477 

Supplies  shipped  by  transports 470 

Auxiliaries,  special  work 478 

Auxiliary  No.  i,  ambulances,  mules,  launches,  disinfectants,  etc.,  475,  478,  489 

Auxiliary  No.  2,  workrooms  for  families  of  enlisted  men ;  475,  478 

Auxiliary  No.  3,  maintenance  of  trained  nurses 412,  426,  429,  475,  478 

488,  489,  491 

Auxiliary  No.  3,  report   491 

Nurses  sent  to  Santiago  and  Porto  Rico 492 

Hospital  ship  "  Lampasas  "  492 

Nurses'  work  in  Tampa 493 

President  and  Secretary  of  War,  committee's  conference  with 494 

Auxiliary  No.  5,  equipped  cots  475,  479 

Auxiliary  No.  10,  ice  and  ice  plants  402,  475,  479,  486 

Auxiliary  No.  17,  supplies 475,  479 

Auxiliary  No.  19,  laundry 475,  480 

Auxiliary  No.  22,  garments,   food,   reading   475,  480 

Auxiliary  No.  40,  emergency  hospital  furnishings,  soldiers'  families,  475,  480 
California  Red  Cross: 

Mrs.   Willard  B.   Harrington,   president   431 

Letter  of  secretary,  Mrs.  L.  L.  Dunbar  431 

Early  work,  supplementing  government  necessities 431 

Executive  board 433 

Organization   434 

Red  Cross  delegate  to  Pacific  coast.  Judge  Sheldon 435 

Manila,  nurses  sent  to   435 

Transports,  nurses  and  agents  with  435,  436 

Field  hospital  to  Manila   436 

Soldiers'  home  built  at  Presidio 437 

Manner  of  work  438 

Identification  medals   438 

Financial  statement,  consolidated,  California  Red  Cross  societies 439 

Red  Cross  of  Oregon: 

Mrs.  Henry  E.  Jones,  president;  Mrs.  F.  E.  Lounsbury,  secretary 441 

Auxiliaries  of  Oregon    44^ 


INDEX.  too 

RED  CROSS  MEMBERSHIP— (Continued):  P^^,,. 

Emergency  funds 444 

Novel  contribution  of  Lipman.  Wolf  &  Company 447 

Red  Cross  of  St.  Paul,  Minn.: 
A.  S.  Talmadge,  president;  Miss  Caroline  M.   Beaumont,  secretary....  425 

Red  Cross  of  Washington  St.\te: 

Mrs.  John  B.  Allen,  president;  Miss  Marie  Hewitt,  secretary 452 

State  of  Washington  Emergency  Corps,  extract  from  report 458 

Seattle  Red  Cross: 

Mrs.  J.  C.  Haines,  president;  Mrs.  H.  C.  Colver,  secretary  455 

Tacoma  Red  Cross: 

Mrs.  Chauncey  Griggs,  president;  Mrs.  H.  M.  Thomas,  secretary 456 

Walla  Walla  Red  Cross: 

Mrs.  Lester  S.  Wilson,  president;  Mrs.   Eugene  Boycr,  secretary 456 

Spokane  Red  Cross: 

Mrs.  Virginia  K.  Hayward.  president;  Mrs.  A.  J.  Shaw,  secretary 457 

RUSSIAN   FAMINE: 

Russian  famine,  extent  of  176.   1S9,  192 

Russian   climate   175 

Russian  peasant,  customs  and  religion 175,   176.   180.  193 

Russian  famine,   numbers  afifccted  30,000.000 176 

Russian-American  relief,  beginning  of 177 

Tillinghast,  B.  F 177 

Corn  from  Iowa,  225  carloads 177 

United  States  Congress,  action  regarding  Russian  famine 177 

The  '•  Elks  "   177 

Russian  and  American  friendship   178 

"  Tynehead "  steamship  178.   180.   186.   187,  195 

International  conference  of  1892  at  Rome 178 

Russian  government,  activity  in  famine 179    191.  192 

Russian  people,  activity  in  famine 179-   IQI.   '94 

Russian  famine,  oflficial  report.   Honorable  Chas.   Emory  Smith 179 

Russian  appreciation  of  American  help 180.   181,   187.   193,  196 

Bobrinskoi,  Count  Alexander  180,  181 

"  Dimitri  Donskoi,"   royal  naval   flagship,  at   Philadelphia,  anniversary 

of  "  Tynehead "   in   Russia    180 

Gifts  from  the  Czar  to  American  commissioners 181 

Testimony  from  peasants  of  Libeau   217 

Testimonial   from   nobility  of  St.   Petersburg 181 

Hubhell.  Dr.  J.  B..  report 182 

Russian   Red    Cross,    letter    to    president.     General     KauflFmann.    with 

reply    182.   183 

"  Tynehead,"  arrival  and  unloading  at  Riga.  307  carloads 185,   186 

Nijni    Novgorod    190 

Russian  schoolmaster,  incident   I95 

Corn,  questions  of  ocean  transportation  answered 195 

American  distribution  in  Russia  most  satisfactory 196 


700  INDEX. 

S. 
Cuba  and  Cuban  Campaign:  Page. 

Sagua  la  Grande  542,  643 

Salaries 634 

Sampson,  Admiral  367,  370,  373,  555,  574,  576,  610.  621 

Sampson.  Admiral,  letter   concerning  entrance   to    Havana 370 

Sampson,  Admiral,  letter  to,  concerning  entrance  to  Santiago  574 

Sampson,  Admiral,  Red  Cross  reports  to,  off  Santiago,  June  25th 555,  574 

576,  610,  621 

San  Luis  and  Holguin  districts  visited  623 

Santa  Clara,  Sagua  la  Grande 542,  643 

Santiago  from,  division  liosi)ital.  Major  Wood 563,  564,  616,  646 

Santiago,  to  the  front  of  563,  616 

Santiago,  concerning  entrance  to,  July  17,  1898 574,  575,  576,  578,  651,  652 

Santiago,  conditions  in    577,  630 

Santiago  general  relief  committee  639,  651 

Santiago  hospitals,  clinic  and  dispensary 623,  651,  652 

Santiago  fed 579,  621,  626 

Santiago,  committee  of  women  appointed   626 

Santiago,  sailed  from,  August  21,  1898 574,  629 

Schley,  Admiral   576,  578,  651 

Secretary  of  Navy,  instructions  concerning  "  State  of  Texas  " 367 

Secretary  of  Navy  accepts  Red  Cross  service  395 

Secretary  of  State,  letter,   reconcentrado  relief   361,  362 

Secretary  of  State 361,  362,  377,  385,  386,  388,  516 

Secretary  of  War 395.  396,  494 

Secretary    of    War,    instructions    concerning    establishment    of    Red    Cross 

camps  395 

Secretary  of  War  arranged  2,000  tons  relief  supplies  for  Havana,  requests 

Red  Cross  to  distribute  584 

Shafter,  General  Wm.,  returns  Spanish  wounded  prisoners  to  their  friends 

(article  XI)   570 

Siboney,  American  surgeons  decline  woman's  help,  but  Cubans  accept....   557 

588,  613 

Siboney,  opening  of  Red  Cross  hospital 561,  590,  615 

Siboney,  Kennan,  Lesser,  Elwell,  go  to  front 558,  589 

Siboney  burned   574 

"  Sisters,"  Red  Cross 560,  588,  645,  646 

"Solace,"  the  first  hospital   ship  under  the  treaty   (see  article   XL   articles 

for  navy)    591 

Sollosso,  Dr.  J.  B 652 

Spanish-American  war    360 

Spanish  authorities  co-operate  in  Cuban  relief 529,  547 

Spanish  protection  to  Red  Cross  property  604 

Spanish  prisoners,  relief  for,  on  captured  vessels 551,  591,  607,  644 

Spanish  hospitals  at  Santiago   622 

Spanish  naval  prisoners  on  transoort  "  Harvard  "  Sgi 


INDEX.  701 

Page. 

Spanish  prisoners  treated  and  fed   596 

Spanish  authorities,  Havana,  propose  paying  custom  duties  and  distributing 

our   goods    629 

Spanish  prisoners.  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  and  steamships,  nurses  to 506 

Spanish  reception  of  Red  Cross  nurses  in  Spain   507 

Spanish  money 634 

Spain,  to  the  Red  Cross  of 663 

Steamship  "  State  of  Texas,"  arrangements  for  sending 365 

Steamship  "  State  of  Texas,"  correspondence  relating  to  sending  of 365 

"  State  of  Texas  '    sails  from  New  York,  April  23,  1898 550.  605 

"  State  of  Texas  "  reports  to  Admiral  Sampson  off  Key  West  606 

"  State  of  Texas  "  leaves  Key  West  for  Santiago,  June  20th 555,  609 

"  State  of  Texas  "  under  protection  of  navy 550,  606 

"  State  of  Texas  "  goes  to  Jamaica  for  ice 618 

"  State  of  Texas,"  discharged  July  22d 580.  622 

Steamer  "  San  Antonio,"  Cuban  relief   653 

Supply  committee,  requisitions  filled,  from  June  22d  to  December  i,  1898..  480 

Supplies  American-Cuban,  6,000  tons   634 

Surgeon-General,  letter  of,  accepting  services  of  women  nurses 494 

Surgeons  cannot  get  their  supplies  from  transports  (Santiago) 589 

Surgeons  work  by  moonlight  as  precaution  against  sharpshooters 646 

Swiss  government  as  intermediary  384,  386 

Sanitary  commission  of  United  States  31 

Services  in  time  of  war  30 

Services  in  time  of  peace  29 

Servian  Red  Cross,  decoration 83 

Sick  and  wounded,  improvements  for 30 

Sign  of  neutrality  24,     58 

Society  of  Public  Utility  of  Switzerland 23,  48,     50 

Solferino 23 

Southmayd.  Colonel  F.  R.,  and  New  Orleans  Red  Cross 148 

Syracuse  Red  Cross no 

Swiss   Federal   Council    24 

"  Six,  The  Little."  story    130 

"  Six,  The  Big "    134 

T. 

Tampa  during  preparations  for  war 555.  643.  644 

Tasajo   (jerked  beef)    609 

Telegraph   companies'   assistance    365 

Texas  drought.    1887    I34 

Texas  drought,  action   of  Congress  vetoed I37 

Texas  drought,    report   to    President    Cleveland 137 

Texas  drought,    state   appropriation.    $100.000 139 

Tolstoi   on   peasants   and   famine 174.    187.   188 

Thurston.  Senator  and   Mrs 546 

To  the  auxiliaries  of  the  Red  Cross 677 


702  INDEX. 

To  the  committees  of  the  Red  Cross 676 

To  Miss  Barton,  by  her  assistants,  on  dispersing 633 

To  the  nurses  of  the  Red  Cross,  tribute   (Hussey) 677 

To  the  Red  Cross  of  Spain 663 

To  the  people,  "  a  word  "   13 

To  the  reader   681 

Treaty  in  U.  S.,  persons  who  gave  effective  help  in  securing 89 

Treaty  of  the  Red  Cross,  accession  to,  by  U.  S 80.  85.  87,  385 

TREATY  OF  GENEVA: 

Ambulances  and  hospitals   Par.           I,  57 

Arms,    incapacity    to    bear    "         VI,  58 

Brassard,   regulation   concerning    "       VII,  58 

Enemy,  occupation  by   "        111,  57 

Equipment    of   hospitals "         IV,  57 

Evacuations,    participants    protected "        VI,  58 

Flag,  distinct  and  uniform   "       VII,  58 

Hospitals  and  equipments    "         IV,  57 

Houses  sheltering  wounded "          V.  57 

Inhabitants  assisting  wounded    "          V.  57 

Property,  personal,  of  staff "        IV,  57 

Sick  and  wounded,  care  of "        VI,  57 

Staff,  medical   and  hospital    "          II,  57 

Wounded,   delivery  to   outposts '        VI,  57 

The  "Additional  Articles": 

Ambulances,   definition  of    "         III,  74 

Boats,  assisting  wounded  and  wrecked "        VI,  74 

Cargo,   neutrality   of    "          X.  75 

Flag,    distinctive,    regulations    "       XII,  75 

Hospital    ships    "         IX,  75 

Auxiliary   Red   Cross  vessels,   regulations "     XIII,  76 

Military,  how  distinguished   "       XII,  75 

Merchant    ships    "          X,  75 

Neutrality  of  vessels   "         IX,  75 

Neutrality  of  cargo   "          X,  75 

Officers,  wounded,  detention  of "          V,  75 

Property  of  staff    "       VII.  74 

Quartering  troops    "         IV,  75 

Red  Cross,  auxiliary  hospital   ships "     XIII,  76 

Sailors  and  soldiers,   wounded "         XI,  75 

Salary  of  neutral  persons   "          II,  74 

Search,  right  of   "          X,  75 

Ships,   hospital    "        IX,  75 

Auxiliary  Red   Cross   "     XIII,  76 

Military "       XII,  75 

Staff,   hospital   and   religious    "       VII,  75 

On  captured  ships   "     VIII,  75 


I, 

74 

XIV. 

76 

IV. 

74 

IX. 

7-:^ 

V, 

74 

VI. 

75 

XI. 

75 

INDEX.  703 

TREATY  OF  GENEVA  —  (Continued):  PaKe. 

Staff,  withdrawal  of   Par. 

Suspension   of  treaty,   rights   of 

Troops,   quartering  of    " 

Vessels,    neutral    

Wounded,  detention  and  delivering  of 

Picked   up  by   boats 

Sailors  and  soldiers  protected    " 

Transportation   of  corn   by   water?     Answered 193 

Transportation   companies,   generous  assistance    364 

Transportation,  difficulties  in  all  kinds  of 583 

Tribute  to  the  Red  Cross,  by  B.  H.  Warner 406 

Trocha 5.W 

Tug    "  Triton  "    580 

Typhoid  epidemic.  Chicamauga  502 

U. 
United  States,  action  with  the  treaty,  and  additional  articles,  72,  80.  85,  385,  393 

United  States  accession  to  treaty  of  the  Red  Cross,  March  i,  1882 80 

United  States,  tardiness  in  giving  adhesion  to  treaty  36,  663 

United  States  Senate,  first  action  towards  adhesion  of  treaty.  May.  1881.  ...     7i 
United  States,  thirty-second  nation  to  adopt  treaty,  and  first  to  adopt  the 

articles  of  navy 86.    87 

W. 

Warehouse.  San  Jose.  Havana 521 ,  600,  642 

Wertsch,  Captain  P.  C,  letter  and  reply  631 

Women's  auxiliai  ies  of  the  Red  Cross  relief  committee,  report  491 

Women  nurses. .  ?8,  30.  401.  411.  412.  429.  435,  436,  492.  493,  494,  590,  595.  596.  646 

Women  nurses,  testimony  of  army  surgeons 403.  504 

Women  nurses  accepted  by  Surgeon-General  494 

Women's  work  in  foreign  countries 28.     30 

Wounded,  all  available  assistance  requested 593 

Wood,  General  Leonard,  military  sanitary  work   626 

Wood,  Surgeon-Major,  Red  Cross  surgeon  646 

Wounds,  character  of  593,  594,  595 

Wounds  heal  rapidly   593.  594 

Wounded  of  the  "  Maine  "  in  hospital   525.  6oo 

Wounded,  working  among,  at  the  front 564,  590,  616.  646.  649 

Y. 

Yacht  "  Red  Cross  "    4^Q.  55Q 

Yellow  fever  in   Florida.   1888   147 

Yellow  fever  nurses,  Howard  Association  of  New  Orleans 147 

Yellow  fever  nurses  declined  by  superintending  surgeon 147 

Yellow  fever  in  Cuba  574,  650 

Yellow  fever,   first  appearance   at  Siboney 596 

Yellow  fever  talk  at  the  front  and  Siboney  $7^,  574.  617 

Vellow  fever  scare  prevents  landing  supplies  for  Cubans  at  Guantanamo.  576,  61O 
Young,  Miss,  concerning  Red  Cross  nurses 505 


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